The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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Monday, 18 November 2013

Yalumba Eden Valley Roussanne 2012

  12:18    


 Quite subtle on introduction: florals, a little citrus, white peach and honeyed pear. Nicely textured, a little width that grabs your attention. Thread of acid through the wine guides you, for what it's worth I wrote "food friendly" - whatever the hell that means (but see above for a suggestion).

 It's looking good now, it'll be better down the line and as the vines put down roots with age. It's difficult to call, in the sense that it has much going for it without any one factor making a dominant play - that in itself marks it out as a good wine. It's damn drinkable, yet has you pausing to consider it, not just smash it down. Loved it. 91

 Tasted on: Wednesday 13th November, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $24.95
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.yalumba.com

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Toolangi Emanai 2013

  12:08    


A Chardonnay and Viognier blend, fruit drawn from Dixon's Creek in the Yarra Valey, wine made by the steady hand of Franco d'Anna of Hoddles Creek.

 Despite Chardonnay taking lead billing on the wine, I saw more Viognier in it. Fleshy stonefruit leads backed up with hints of melon and a suggestion of butterscotch/ caramel.

 Entry shows a wine of texture, of spice, of the fibrous feel of fresh ginger. Length is pretty generous and sustained. Flesh and feel, slippery and spicy. 89

 Tasted on: Thursday 14th November, a Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.toolangi.com/

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Cook's Lot 'Lot 666' Pinot Gris 2013

  11:58    

"If you meet me, have some courtesy, have some sympathy, and some taste". So, Lot 666 eh? Some may consider Pinot G the devil's juice, for its ubiquity, and - more so in its Grigio guise - it's temptation to consume and be consumed.

 Here, Duncan Cook has taken on the grape and produced a Gris worthy of the name. Opening with poached pear, a little honey for sweetness. Partial barrel ferment has added weight and texture, the warmer vintage gives the fruit extra legs, and somehow a little acid seems to have been retained.

 Mineral and spice all add to the picture, length is good and the presence of flavour is long lasting. 90

 Tasted on: Thursday 14th November, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.cookslot.com.au

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Friday, 15 November 2013

Howard Park Jeté Brut NV

  13:52    


The Brut NV younger sibling to the Grand Vintage reviewed earlier. Possesses a very lively bead with a little mousse  Aromas of a little apple skin with some suggestion of baked goods - aromatically shy compared to the big brother.

 The palate shows a little more of the same, hints of baked apple, mineral here with a good line of acid. Moderate intensity of flavour, you'd be happy with this at $26 - as some dining companions suggested, a good aperitif style, offering ease of consumption, 'smashable' in the context of sparkling wine.

 All up it lacks the obvious complexity of it's grander stablemate, but it's a good fizz, happy days indeed at $26. 89

 Tasted on: Thursday 14th November, a Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.burchfamilywines.com.au

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Howard Park Jeté Grand Vintage 2009

  13:31    


The Burch family of Howard Park have released some sparklers before and from the looks of their website also some possible interests in Champagne. I've Natalie Burch to thank for a wee twitter conversation and for these samples that made there way across the threshold.

 This Grand Vintage is produced from majority Chardonnay with a little Pinot in the mix - the fruit being drawn from vineyards in the Great Southern region. The wine is fermented in both tank and stainless steel, and being Méthode Traditionelle would see secondary fermentation in bottle.

 Lively bead, fine mousse; a little autolysis derived character on the nose, fresh brioche and a little lemon butter. Fine aromas indeed, I was even picking up a little fresh sage too.

 Entry shows a wine with delightful toastiness, lees derived depth - it spends 36 months on lees - and a mineral quality. Further, there's a little burnt butter, lemon rind and a delightful textural quality that reminds one of lime brulee.

 Has the complexity that comes with age and time on lees, gives the wine depth and length of flavour. Excellent for the price I'd suggest. 92

 Tasted on: Tuesday 12th November, a Flower Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.burchfamilywines.com.au

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Thursday, 14 November 2013

Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2012

  12:44    


Stewed fruits, crumble-esque; raspberry and hints of strawberry conserve - deliberately avoiding use of the word jam, lest you -dear reader - get the wrong gist. Once it gets going it adds a little woody spice into the frame. Good start.

 Was expecting a little more from old bush vine material - still it offers a rewarding Grenache experience. Fruit and a little spice via aniseed vie for attention here. Tannin is fine, rewarding, length moderate. You'll be happy at full tote, overjoyed it you find it discounted further. 89

 Tasted on: Thursday 7th November, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $21.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yalumba.com

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Rocland Estate Grenache 2012

  12:23    

Some good gear coming out of Rocland Estate, a Barossa winery hitherto unknown to me. They're ramping things up a little with a Cellar Door due to open soon.

 Earth and leather initially, then sweeter notes: sugar plum, fruits of the forest - a good red/black fruit mix here without suffering from Grenache's tendency to be over done.

 Baked raspberry, baking spices backing that up, licorice and hints of clove. Oak is present, considerate, tannin fine. Length is generous, but in many respects a little simple. Easy going wine, offering ease of consumption. One for now and up to five years, not really long-term in the cellar. Good drinking regardless. 90

 Tasted on: Thursday 7th November, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com

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