Zonte's Footstep Doctoressa Di Lago Pinot Grigio 2017

Zonte's Footstep Doctoressa Di Lago Pinot Grigio 2017

  11:58    Stu.

---

Comes across all a bit pear and peach. I'm not quite sure where to go with that, save for a fruit salad.

Marries a little texture to some retained acidity, more like a Pinot G - betwixt the too. A little phenolic bitterness distracts being my only quibble. 87

Tasted on: Friday 12th January, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.zontesfootstep.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Zonte's Footstep Excalibur Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Zonte's Footstep Excalibur Sauvignon Blanc 2017

  11:52    Stu.

---

Excalibur, is it so called due to the razor sharp acidity for which the variety can be known? or because, like King Arthur's sword, you couldn't pull it out of the rock (or off the shelf) if you wanted?

Personal proclivities aside, I've gotta write about the weed.....

All that said, this is a softer aromatic example, still carrying the passionfruit, blackcurrant leaf and citrus balm. The palate is a little drier, a light phenolic touch against moderate acidity.

Good length to boot. You'd happily go here. 90

Tasted on: Friday 12th January, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.zontesfootstep.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Mr Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014

Mr Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014

  08:30    Stu.

---

Regional, varietal. Carrying the fudge, muddy; married to dark plummy fruit, ably supported by good use of (mainly older) oak

Pretty thick, chewy wine on entry. There's a good fruit presence, tannin somewhat moderated, yet a firm persistence of flavour pervades and carries long. Some of that salt-licorice-bitterness on the back end, again regional-varietal. 

Goes alright now, better with a stint in the cellar. 91+ 

Tasted on: Thursday 7th December, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.mrriggs.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Domaine Catherine Bernard IGP Pays d'Hérault Mourvèdre 2016

Domaine Catherine Bernard IGP Pays d'Hérault Mourvèdre 2016

  12:00    Stu.

---

The Pays d'Hérault is in the Languedoc in France's South-West. Taking its name from the Herault River that forms one of its boundaries, it sits in a natural amphitheatre over predominantly Limestone and Schist, the former being Mourvèdre's beloved foundation.

Caveat: tasted in shite Air BnB stemware

Black fruit at its heart, herbal essences with a licorice undertow. Medium bodied and light touch on entry, its juiciness surprises - disarms - given the variety. 

The licorice elements make their presence known, ably supported by the freshness that characterises the wine. There's a gentle play of tannin that sits well through the finish. Very good wine. 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 17th December, a Leaf day

Source: Retail, Frenchie
Price: $30 Approx 
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: DIAM
Website: n/a

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Pig in the House Organic Rosé 2017

Pig in the House Organic Rosé 2017

  09:05    Stu.

---

Winemaking by the book here. Fragrant wine, offering up strawberry, hints of raspberry and a suggestion of these delightful boiled lollies I affectionately recall from childhood called 'Rhubarb and Custard'.

Palate of moderate acidity; gentle rasp of tannin - a dryness balanced against a little residual fruit sweetness. Generous in length - surprisingly so - accentuating the fruit quality. Predominantly Sangiovese with a touch of the Shiraz for additional depth. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 10th January, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.piginthehouse.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Rock of Wisdom Superfly Shiraz 2017

Rock of Wisdom Superfly Shiraz 2017

  08:30    Stu.

---

Rock of Wisdom wines each come with their own little guidance note, a pearl of wisdom if you like. This is perhaps the only wine in which I disagree with the said guidance note: "This is a wine that will make you want to strut (you know you want to)".

Whilst it's all primary, with a suggestion of funk and yeasty top notes sitting up there, it's also raw -purple in colour, unadorned by little.

Medium bodied, supple and lithe - and that's why I disagree with it's own 'user instruction', for I found it so easy going in nature that I just wanted to settle back with it, enjoy it's company in a casual setting, get to know it a little further.

A little chew of tannin, black fruits in support. It's an open and loose vibe to this wine, offering little resistance as it makes its way down the hatch. 89 

Tasted on: Thursday 2nd November, a Leaf day

Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://rock-of-wisdom.myshopify.com/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz 2014

Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz 2014

  08:30    Stu.

---

Classic Shiraz here from the Langhorne Creek, offers up a profile that is sure to please. There's oak in the mix, blended up with a cornucopia of red and black fruit. 

The palate reveals a wine at once lavish, chewy and riven with spice. A fine coating of tannin spreads and makes itself at home in the farthest recesses of the mouth.  

Your lasting memory could well be of peppery length and you'll no doubt be congratulating yourself on a good purchase given its sub-20 ask. 89 

Tasted on: Tuesday 21st November, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $16.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://heartlandwines.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More