The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

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Saturday, 5 April 2014

Pyramids Road Mourvédre 2012

  07:08    

2007 Image

A mere fifty dozen produced, i first tasted this out of barrel (one of the two made, one American and one French, both two year old) not long after it had started its journey to becoming a wine. I could see the quality wine it was to become then. 

 Dark, earthen, spicy - heady; hints of cured meats, black fruit - cherry, black forest gateaux-esque - touches of dried herb/ garrigue characters in the wine's aroma.

 Entry is smooth, black cherry and plum. It's a concentrated affair, then comes the onset of acid - a little unsettling (and I'm not shy of acid) - grainy/ powdery tannin. I kept being drawn back to the black forest gateaux/ liqueur cherry/ mascerated plums. Concludes with a glorious tail of dark matter derived flavour. I'd recommend cellaring for 2-3 years minimum before enjoying. 92+

 Tasted on: Thursday 27th March, a Root Day 
Source: Retail, Wine Experience
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.pyramidsroad.com.au/

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Wednesday, 2 April 2014

Ferngrove Cossack Riesling 2013

  08:26    


Opens with creamy panacotta, frangipani before seeing a movement toward more tropical notes of grapefruit, a little melon and lime.

 Palate shows a similar theme: zest, florals and chalky dryness. Not your cut and thrust Riesling, it feels cool and composed. Glorious length of flavour, drying. 91

 Tasted on: Tuesday 25th March, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.ferngrove.com.au/

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2013 Parish Vineyard Coal River Riesling

  08:16    


The former Frogmore Creek vineyard, renamed the Jansz Parish Vineyard following acquisition by the Hill-Smith family. Tasmania, the new frontier in retaining a presence in cool climate viticulture.

 Lime, bath salts, suggestions of a chalky coolness. Hints of apple blossom and melon give further indication of the wine within.

 The palate sees a wine that is, initially, vibrant and zesty, showing and energetic mineral presence. Loses its way a little from there - seemingly having out its effort into the introduction, leaving little in reserve. Reasonable finish, but not at this price point at present. 89

 Tasted on: Tuesday 25th March, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $28.95
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://hsfv.com/

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Cooks Lot Riesling 2013

  08:08    

Citrus, green apple, honeyed tropicals and white florals. Hints of citrus peel, suggestions of lemon and honey. 

Feels fleshy and open, lacks the tightness you see in good Riesling - and it's a crowded marketplace for Riesling under $20. Lacks a little drive on the finish. 86
Tasted on: Tuesday 25th March, a Fruit Day 

Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: Cooks Lot

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Tuesday, 1 April 2014

Topper's Mountain Red Earth Child 2011

  07:11    

Oh my, a striking wine. Red Earth Child it is, with a backdrop that shows arresting aromas of rose petals, with bramble and black fruit, spicy hints waiting in the background to enchant further.

Shows a deftness, light-footed touch on the palate, fine-powdery tannin with some hints of red and blue fruits. A glorious spice sensation that slowly makes its introduction, and builds - not at the expense of fruit, working in tandem with it. Harmony.

This is another excellent wine that grew in stature with some time. Cherry was a common theme, structure carried the wine and excellent acid structure aided a level of sustain. I was quite captivated. 93


Tasted on: Sunday 23rd March, a Leaf transitioning to Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $38
Alcohol: 13.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.toppers.com.au/

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Lark Hill Viognier 2013

  06:11    


Opened this up in a small bracket of three Viognier, it was the wine that looked initially least favourable, yet over time it opened up significantly.

 Apricot lends an allure, a prettiness - background white florals, aromatics hold up over time - good start.

 Touch of texture and weight on the palate - the wine is partially wild yeast fermented and a portion of the wine is fermented in barrel. Esters, meal, moving to stonefruit skins and suggestions of fresh ginger, with time that texture and spice becomes more pronounced. 

 It comes across as a cooler expression of the variety. Length gently builds, phenolics, waxy texture, spice. Generous length. 92+

 Tasted on: Wednesday 19th March, a Root transitioning to Flower Day 

Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.larkhillwine.com.au/

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Monday, 31 March 2014

La Petite Mort Viognier 2012

  05:55    

La Petite Mort is a euphemism for the good old orgasm. It's also the 'experimental' arm of the Granite Belt's Bent Road Winery, the label where they can have play around with techniques or run up small batches of wines. It's also home to quite possibly the most stunning labels seen in the region, a region not known for its adventurous styling or packaging.

 Sees a little extended skin contact for additional colour extraction, but you wouldn't call it an 'orange' wine on the basis of its colour.

 Opens with citrus, creamy puff pastry, suggestion of florals - honeysuckle - and a little vanilla. A touch of smokiness, it's a textural, weighty beast - spice builds here, has phenolic grip. Good texture that develops, supported by a little acidity.

 Drank well over two days, retention of a little vitality with textural grip. 92

 Tasted on: Wednesday 19th March, Root to Flower
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13.3%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://lapetitemort.com.au/

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