The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

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Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Maxime Graillot Equinoxe Crozes-Hermitage 2010

  06:54    

A joy to drink and drink you must - one for now, not the cellar.  Proof that good Northern Rhone can be had at a reasonable price.  Needs a good decant first - just to air it out shake off a little reductive note.

On the nose a delightful mix of briary fruits and white pepper; a savoury and smoky mix too.  Smooth and medium bodied - a mere 13% stated alcohol - with that mix of fruit coming to the fore.  Seems effortless to drink.

The finish: a spicy, peppery and fruit driven cocktail flowing to a moderate length.  Enjoy.  90 - Good


Source: Retail, The Wine Emporium
Price: $36
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap

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  No Comments

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz 2009

  17:44    

McLaren Vale Shiraz: pure and simply.  Chocolate, blueberry and raspberry, there's oak - but it's deftly handled rather than dominating - some depth to the aromatic profile too.  For some reason, it also transported me to holidays in Portugal as a teenager, with slight hints of almond and orange oil.

Entry shows a wine incredibly smooth, somehow belying the depth of aroma.  Medium bodied, balanced, i did feel the palate somewhat truncated between entry and the finish. Minor quibble.

A smooth finish, fine grained, chalky tannin.  Good structure, I think it will only improve over 5-8 years. Good - 90+

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap

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  No Comments

Sunday, 11 March 2012

Tempus Two Copper Series Moscato 2011

  20:53    

"It's a celebration,
clap, clap, bravo,
Lobster and Shrimp,
and a glass of Moscato"
~ Trey Songz (apparently)

I read this interesting piece about rappers and hip-hop ruining Moscato.  And there was me thinking it was all Cristal...

Musk, rose water and lychee on the nose; sweet burst of tropical fruit on the palate - some green apple too.  Lively and refreshing in the mouth.  You can see how Moscato has appeal - and at 8% offers a lighter option on the alcohol front.  

The finish here is reasonable, crisp - a little mineral.  86 - Average

Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 8%
Closure: Crown Seal

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  No Comments

O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River 2011

  11:26    

Riesling - so undervalued.  This classic Clare Riesling from the Polish Hill River sub-district can be found for around $18; it's mightily fine now, yet will easily reward the patient drinker over 10-20 years.

Honeysuckle, lime aromatics, a nod toward the tropical fruit spectrum with some guava, and citrus in the form of lemon, and orange peel.  In the mouth it offers a tart, concentrated, mineral body with a backbone of acid that provides focus and intensity. 

Delivering a short burst - a mini-explosion of flavour - before its fine line and length deliver chalky minerality through the finish.  93 - Very Good 

Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol:12.5%
Closure:Screwcap

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  No Comments

Saturday, 10 March 2012

Martin Códax Albariño 2010

  11:32    

Apparently Albariño is sometimes thought of as “The Wine of the Sea”, in part due to its affinity with seafood, and also due to the moderating affect the Atlantic Ocean has on the vineyards.

Four months on lees gives this wine the palate weight and textural feel.  An excellent match for food, it's aromatically of delicate peach, white flowers, feint Citrus and a honeyed note.

The finish: phenolic, persistence, the nuttiness carried through to the wines conclusion; focus, clean and direct. I could drink a lot of this. 90 - Good

Source: BTG, Era Bistro
Price: $11
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap

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  No Comments

Friday, 9 March 2012

Greenstone Monastrell 2008

  18:22    

Andrew Graham, of OZ Wine Review fame, commented that Greenstone's use of the 'Spanish' name for the grape variety may be to do with clonal selection. 
This example, tasted by the glass, shows real deep seated plum, chocolate, damson/ mulberry; cornucopia of red fruits. Some spice shows on the nice. Garnet/ ruby in colour, but rather light - not as dense as other examples.

Smooth, medium bodied - almost Pinot-esque in weight, a varietal defying palate weight. Excellent flow, a framework of acid carries the wine; balanced with line and length. Spice laden, herb-tinged, slightly plummy, earthen conclusion.   91 - Very Good

Price: $14 By the Glass, $32-35 retail (per bottle)
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap

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  1 Comment

Friday, 2 March 2012

Chapel Hill Foundation Chardonnay 2011

  05:33    

Changing a successful formula can represent a big risk for a brand, on one hand it  says: we're not resting on our laurels;  and yet on the other potentially risks alienating a legion of loyal customers.

Personally I don't have the history with this particular wine to comment, but wanted to provide a frame of reference for this 2011 incarnation of Chapel Hill's Chardonnay. First conceived in 1990, somewhat against the prevailing trend, as an unwooded Chardonnay, the decision was taken to commence the introduction of oak as of this vintage.  A portion of the wine, around 14% was fermented in a mix of 3-5 year old French oak.

Fruit is 82% McLaren Vale and 18% Adelaide Hills; free-run juice and gentle pressing fractions; no fining agents or copper added.   

Green banana, white peach and mineral with a definite citrus mien.  The barrel work shows itself in the form of a weighty, textural mouth-feel.  Some nougat/ nutty oak, a glimpse of mineral, acid framework evident.  Somewhat mouth-filling, this defines the finish; the complexity weaved in through the work applied.  My only gripe is the finish is a little coarse - but it seems rather churlish to pick holes in a wine that drinks this well at $16.  88 - Good

Source: Sample
Price: $16
Alcohol:12.5%
Closure: Screwcap

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  1 Comment

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