The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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Thursday, 26 December 2013

Yalumba The Guardian Shiraz Viognier 2010

  14:45    


Initially little sign of the Viognier here - indeed it "should be seen and not heard" as someone once told me. Meaty, a little ferrous, florals start to come through with a little time.

 Medium bodied, has a juicy, cola-ish feel mixed with delicious berry fruit. Offers up spice with an easy-going, slippery textural feel to it.

 Concludes with a savoury edge after the juicy fruits that come before it. 89  

 Tasted on: Tuesday 26th November, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $21.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.yalumba.com

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Rocland Estate Lot 147 Shiraz 2008

  12:13    

Has the slightly porty, leathery, raisined notes of dried out fruit. There's a fair whack of oak lain over the top. Given a little time, it settles itself - takes on a more subtle bent.

 Thick, creamy oak, a slightly burnt edge; feels a little hollow in the middle, fleshes out a little with some aniseed, pepper. Again it's rawness on opening settles with time - seems a touch more balanced and altogether more pleasurable.

 Finishes well - generous length - consistently comes together with a little time. 91

 Tasted on: Tuesday 26th November, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 15%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com/

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Criminal Minds 'Miss Devine' Brut NV

  12:05    


Here we have a happy, bargain, entry-level sparkler that delivers above its pricepoint. Toasty on entry, backed up with some grilled stonefruits, citrus and red berries.

 Toasty, bready entry; a little mid-palate sweetness is perfectly positioned against a touch of mineral and cream in the body. Acid provides a little freshness. Lacks the depth you'd get from a wine that spends additional time on lees, but that comes at a cost. For $15 this drinks perfectly well.

 The finish sees a little red berry fruit sweetness pulled through. Length is moderate. A certain crowd pleaser. 87

 Tasted on: Monday 25th November, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.byrnevineyards.com.au/

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Monday, 16 December 2013

Ferngrove Symbols Sauvignon Semillon 2013

  18:24    


Opens a touch sweaty with the presence of aromatic compounds known as 'mercaptans' present (specifically ethanethiol if you wish to get sexy on terminology). Hints of nettle here too - not altogether uncommon in cooler region sauvignon blanc.

 The palate shows a light bodied, some freshness present here too: fruit backing up with a little chalky phenolics.

 Length offers a little redemption from the aromatic introduction that wasn't quite my cup of tea. 85

 Tasted on: Thursday 14th November 2013, a Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $16.50
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.ferngrove.com.au

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Thursday, 28 November 2013

Tahbilk Marsanne 2013

  12:41    


Opened this pair with 'Summer Pasta' (creme fraiche, garlic and lemon zest sauce; zucchini, yellow squash and some frozen peas) as I thought so many of the flavours and aromas would be complimentary. Winner.

 Suggestions of honey and honeydew melon, florals and citrus zest. Fresh, fragrant and fulfilling. Price listed here is the full-tote price, get yourself signed up to the mailing list and avail of excellent discounts.

 Entry shows a continuation of the aromatics, that freshness acting with excellent textural mouth feel and a lovely clip of acid acting as guide. It is that acid that provides a indication as to cellar-worthiness, plus also allows the wine to cut through the creamy sauce I paired it up with.

 The texture just adds another level of enjoyment to the wine. Bravo. 91/92 - your choice.

 Tasted on: Tuesday 26th November, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $ 18.80
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.tahbilk.com.au

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Meerea Park Terracotta Syrah 2011

  12:25    


The Meerea Park 'Terracotta' wines are so named for the red basalt/ clay soils of Pokolbin the fruit is nurtured on. That said, there is a highly-suggestive feel to the tannin in the wine, like drawing your tongue over a slightly coarse planter. Forgive me my proclivities.

 Labelled as Syrah to denote a stylistic interpretation, the inclusion of 1.5% Viognier is handled exquisitely, the white partner is seen and not heard. Earthen with delightful brambly black fruits, oak is noticeable, not domineering.

 Excellent intensity of fruit, the wine is medium -veering to full - bodied; the friut is backed up with judicious use of quality oak. Sandy/ fine-grained tannin, it's persistent and will cellar well over the medium term, 10-12 years my call. 92

 Tasted on: Monday 18th November, a Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $65
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.meereapark.com.au

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Wednesday, 27 November 2013

Grant Burge Moscato Rosa Frizzante 2013

  16:22    


A few years back, I was in my local bottle-o when in walked a young lass, off to the races the next day, she requested of the store attendant: "what do you have that's good for drinking in the morning?". 

 In the spirit of the responsible service of alcohol, he dutifully recommended some Moscato. This would have been perfect for her I reckon, a mere 7.5% and a little light and fragrant number.

 Rose petal, turkish delight, touches of red fruits on opening. Frizzante: a mere tickle, rather than a sparkle; red berries through the palate, sweet and syrupy. Suggestions of being somewhat cordial like, or a least marginally diluted.

 Aimed at a particular demographic this would work. A little too sweet and simple for me, but if fun, fruity and fresh is yours: Go! 86

 Tasted on: Monday 25th November, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15.95
Alcohol: 7.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.grantburgewines.com.au

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