The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

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Monday, 6 June 2016

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Tempranillo 2014

  08:30    

Blue fruits, florals, dusky dark chocolate/cocoa; a little red fruit, suggestive of macerated raspberry. 

Medium bodied, palate enlivening acid, citrus tang; chocolate and blue fruit, cracked pepper and a good rasp of tannin. Length: tannin has staying power for the wine to linger long. 89 

 Tasted on: Monday 9th May: Root to Flower
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.winesbygeoffhardy.com.au/

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Sunday, 5 June 2016

d'Arenberg High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

  19:19    

Calling card of both variety and region here: leaf, mulberry and some Sellick's fudge. 

Medium bodied, somewhat thin on the palate. Nice grip, but cassis gives way to bitterness that dominates here. Given the price, varietal correctness can be forgiven. 

Drinks well and has a track record that generally suggests moderate cellarability. 88 

 Tasted on: Monday 9th May: Root to Flower
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.darenberg.com.au/

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La La Land Malbec 2015

  10:00    

Juicy, nigh jubey, good fruit driven aromatics - clearly fulfilling a winemaking brief for accessibility and approachability. 

Medium bodied, soft and rounded; segues to a little spice and gummy fruit flavours. A little back end chocolate bitterness - great counterpoint to the fruit, resurgent spice. 

Winning at $16. Delivers in spades at its price point, knocking wines double its price into touch. 89 

 Tasted on: Tuesday 10th May
Source: Sample
Price: $16
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.lalalandwines.com.au/

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Saturday, 4 June 2016

Ridgemill Estate 'The Lincoln' Shiraz Viognier 2013

  13:26    

A new grandson for Ridgemill Estate owner Martin Cooper is honoured with a wine named in his honour - tough that the wee tacker has to wait 'til his 18th to taste this little beauty.

Plum, mulberry, cherry, a little stonefruit and floral lift; well handled oak in support. 

Black fruit, medium bodied and juicy; has a playful elegance that morphs into a little savoury twist, providing the intro to a wine of good length. 91 

 Tasted on: Wednesday 11th May: Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://ridgemillestate.com/

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Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

  12:56    

Powerful black fruit supported by a frame of oak; there's leaf, chocolate - all up bold and firm, forward. 

Pretty full, considering its 13.5%, slippery and silky. Tannin is fine - segues to chocolatey and berry flavours. Doesn't strike me as the most composed I've seen this wine, pretty full on. 91 

 Tasted on: Sunday 8th May: Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $67
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://leeuwinestate.com.au/

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Friday, 3 June 2016

Terre á Terre Crayeres Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2014

  18:26    

New release from the Terre à Terre crew, a varietal Cab Franc that is the result of 26 day ferment in open top fermenter. Spends 18m in French oak (30% new) and about ten minutes in your glass before proclaim: "gee that's a cracker, pour me another", or words to that effect. No filtration, and a light fining.

Leaf, grass, underlying red fruit, yet savoury in its outlook. Beautifully seasoned: spicy oak setting this off. Medium bodied: intense flavour, powdery tannin, red currant and strawberry long on the finish 


Spice, a little cinnamon perhaps, sweet spice on the tail; glorious like of flavour and a wine that lingers long in the memory. 93 

 Tasted on: Sunday 8th May: Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $39
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Yalumba Y Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

  18:32    

Blackcurrant with a little savoury seasoning overlaid; leaf and capsicum. 

More of the same on the palate, add in a little cheap oak, somewhat thin and dilute. Seems Cabernet is a tough ask at this volume/ price point. 86 

 Tasted on: Saturday 7th May: Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $12.99
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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