The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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Thursday, 31 August 2017

d'Arenberg The Galvo Garage 2013

  08:30    

A blend of Cabernet (66%),  Petit Verdot (19%) and Merlot (15%).

Touch reductive, rubbery pong sitting in front of savoury driven Cabernet. Hints of cedar give an indication of what lies beneath.  

Fairly slick, smooth, experience on entry; minty, floral, ultra-brite fruit. I'm really not sure what it's trying to be, feels in part brisk, nervy and yes a little disjointed. It's not unpleasant, more intriguing, both in the pleasure one derives from it and the prospect of what it may settle into. 89 

 Tasted on: Thursday 11th May, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: darenberg.com.au

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Wednesday, 30 August 2017

Bremerton Bâttonage Chardonnay 2015

  14:30    

Has the aromas of the worked Chardonnay: creamy, cashew, almost clarified butter.


Creamy, figgy hints in the mix - presence of both fruit, mineral edges and hint of acid. Solid, well worked. 90
 
Tasted on: Sunday 13th August, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.bremerton.com.au/

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Montalto Estate Pennon Hill Chardonnay 2016

  08:30    

The Pennon Hill range within the Montalto portfolio are the more approachable, here and now wines. Here stonefruit with some residual oak spice framing things up sets the tone early. Just a hint of struck match complexity in the mix too. 


It really just hits a spot: delightful balance of fruit, a minerally edge hardens the palate away from a softer stance. Drive and length, propel the wine and, somewhat surprisingly a citrus hit delivers more. 92

 Tasted on: Thursday 17th August, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au

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Tuesday, 29 August 2017

Ferngrove The King Malbec 2015

  14:30    

It was something of a cheats 'cassoulet' round our way that had me reaching for this. The South Central area of WA may be some distance from France's South-West, but Malbec is not drawing too long a bow between the two. 

Leads with a dusky, dusty intro. The faintest hints of Violet meet black fruit and the savoury, briary remnants. Savoury at its core, sweet accents that add up to the profile. 

Soft, rounded, sitting nicely at the heart of the palate, drawing you in. It's quite creamy in how it resolves in the mouth and the juice factor is a distinct draw. The finish could be longer, but - regardless - this is good drinking experience. 90 

 Tasted on: Friday 18th August, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.ferngrove.com.au

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Mitchell Harris Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

  08:30    

Sourced from the Peerick Vineyard, Moonambel, Pyrenees. Spends 15m French Oak (20% new) and sees 10% whole bunch inclusion.

Delightfully almost lighter-than-medium Cabernet on offer here. Soft, inviting, more in the fruit spectrum than the inherently savoury - yet not lacking from that which Cabernet  imparts. 

Blackcurrant pastille the over-riding impression, a little vanilla in the mix from 20% new oak - and 15 months maturation time. Great length to boot, transparent and downright approachable. 93 

 Tasted on: Saturday 19th August, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://mitchellharris.com.au

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Monday, 28 August 2017

Montalto Estate Pennon Hill Shiraz 2016

  14:30    

Whilst it may lead with savoury influences - I initially suspected a minor whole bunch inclusion (there isn't, the fruit is hand harvested and de-stemmed into 2T open fermenters - you ultimately cannot escape the quality of the fruit on offer. 

There are hints of meat, spice and a little oak. Medium bodied, it sits beautifully, easing its way across the palate. A little freshening acid, tight-grained tannin, its pace quickens as it effortlessly slips down. 

Silken slip of a thing, not lacking in substance either. 91

Tasted on: Monday 21st August, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $32 
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

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Rock of Wisdom Mataro 2016

  08:30    

When I was a wee lad, my dear late mother loved a bit of Cadbury's Fruit n Nut. Now, I'm not for a minute suggesting that this smells like a bar of Cadbury's, but it sure does carry this heavenly mix of Mataro's classic plummy depths married to this nutty/ raw peanut/ walnut mix. 

A palate that belies its stated alcohol, weighing in more medium than full. Poised, balanced - set against classic Mataro depth: earth and licorice in the main. 

A creamy aspect just adds another layer to the wine: another nostalgia tinged recollection, this time a 'walnut whip' the memory of a life past. Cracking Mataro and a trip down memory lane. How could I resist? 93, possibly touch and go a point higher.  

 Tasted on: Tuesday 22nd August, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://rock-of-wisdom.myshopify.com

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