The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

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Monday, 13 July 2015

Christobel's Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013

  19:57    


Citrus, chinese gooseberry, florals and fresh green herb.

 Fleshy tropicals butt up against a harder, astringent mid-range; over-riding thought of it is a little unripe honeydew/cantaloupe melon.

 Finishes clean and fresh - OK. 85

 Tasted on: Saturday 9th May, a Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: Yalumba Christobel's

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Yalumba Christobel's Moscato 2014

  19:52    


The Australian wine industry does rather well in honouring its matriarchs, this named after Christobel Hill-Smith, the wife of former Managing Director Sidney Hill-Smith, who sadly perished in a plane crash in 1938.

 Smells fresh, crushed candies - as Moscato often does to me - hints of peachy stonefruit.

 The sweetness (50g/l) gives a little palate cleanse - an amuse bouche of the wine world if you like - stonefruit, a lick of citrus and cut of acid.

 Can't fault it really, even if stylistically it's not to my personal taste. 86

 Tasted on: Saturday 9th May, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 8.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yalumba.com/portfolio/wines/christobels-moscato

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Tuesday, 7 July 2015

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Aglianico 2013

  20:35    

Geoff Hardy uses fruit from across a number of regions in Australia to craft this Aglianico.

 On opening, it took me back to the Northern Hemisphere, specifically an aroma redolent of conkers, that autumnal seed, beloved of children. Woody, herbal notes, sweeter gum and sap, a little briney note too.

 On the palate an initial darkness, backed up by a briskness and liveliness; good body, texture, threads of silken tannin through to the finish.

 Savoury, more-ishly so, good to go now and will server will for up to 7-8 years (if you can refrain from drinking it that is). 92

 Tasted on: Tuesday 5th May, a 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy.com.au/

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Wirra Wirra Original Blend 2014

  10:40    

In 1972, the original Wirra Wirra Church Block (review of 2013 here) was a blend of Grenache and Shiraz, over time becoming the blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot it is today.

 As a tribute to that 'original blend', Wirra Wirra now releases the Original Blend wine, a mix of Grenache and Shiraz (70/30% respectively).

 Coffee-mocha, raspberry, redskins, roses and milk chocolate - inviting aromatics here.

 Chocolate fudge, red berry fruit, earth and lavender. Shows moderate tannin, nicely embedded in the wine. Reasonable length, off course, all that pales when you consider how easily consumed this wine is, the ultimate accolade. 90

 Tasted on: Saturday 2nd May, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://wirrawirra.com/

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Wirra Wirra Church Block 2013

  10:40    

Wirra Wirra's Church Block remains a go-to wine that has delighted legions of wine drinkers over the decades it has been produced. Of course, over its life its composition has morphed to settle on the blend of Cabernet, Shiraz and Merlot that it is today.

 The Cabernet leads - and shows its hand here: cassis, mulberry, a flash of cedar, violets - a very purple/blue profile.

 Fruit carries through to the palate, chocolate too - almost a regional flag-bearer. Seems so medium bodied; plum, lush and easy-going with a fair bit of juice - no doubt would appear to the wino and the average 'punter' possibly looking for a step-up.

 That it is comparatively easy on the pocket makes it a compelling proposition, the fact it tastes darn good and is so approachable only adds to that. 92

 Tasted on: Saturday 2nd May, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://wirrawirra.com/

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Monday, 6 July 2015

Cook's Lot Rosé 2014

  20:07    

Shiraz based Rosé from Mudgee winemaker Duncan Cook, who has drawn on fruit from the Orange wine region to craft a Rosé of some character.

 Pale rhubarb in appearance - an allure, prettiness aromatically: strawberry and Turkish Delight.

 Zip, mineral about the palate initially, buoyed by some good red fruit presence that segues to textural nuances. 

 Finishes well, showing more character and guts than some of the insipid examples out there. Another fair value wine from the Cooks Lot portfolio. 90

 Tasted on: Saturday 2nd May
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.cookslot.com.au/

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Redbank King Valley Prosecco 2014

  07:16    

Redbank's King Valley Prosecco has now moved to a crown seal with this 2014 release (see the 2012 here), a smart move in my opinion.

 Fresh baked pastry, white florals, pear and green apple. Seems there's a little custard apple and vanilla in the mix too.

 Mineral, quite an open feel to the wine with a loose palate structure. Shows some sherbet zing, a semblance of nuttiness with a coarser back palate.

 Good dry finish with citrus hints to further enliven. 88

 Tasted on: Saturday 2nd May, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $21.95
Alcohol:
Closure: Crown Seal
Website: http://www.redbankwines.com/

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