The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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Thursday, 7 June 2018

Margan Tempranillo Graciano Shiraz 2016

  14:30    

Dark and perhaps a little dank. Wood and woody spice, a suggestion of forest floor.

Palate at odds to this, softer and rather more sensuous. Fruit accents, lending a rounder profile through the middle. Lacks a little definition, not altogether unsurprising given the unusual cepage. 

Good as a, something fruitier, mid-week offering. Though perhaps I personally consider $40 is rather an ask. 89

 Tasted on: Monday 16th April, Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.margan.com.au

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Toolangi Chardonnay 2016

  08:30    

I like Toolangi's MO, namely - as I see it - to look after the fruit and then to contract the best winemakers across the Yarra region to make the best wine out of it. 

It evokes a golden aura and aroma, creamy and wheaten. There's grilled stonefruit with, what's like, a dribble of flax oil across it, subtle Vanilla oak tops it off. Fuller figured, it has a good spread - fair oozing across the palate. 

It's matched with a good line of acidity and feint minerality. The Vanilla adds its signature through the final third. Well executed balanced wine, just delivers and judiciously handled. 91 

 Tasted on: Sunday 29th April, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.toolangi.com/

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Wednesday, 6 June 2018

Toppers Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2015

  14:30    

A blend of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Petit Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc.

A little muskiness, Nashi pear, beurre bosc, citrus nuances, golden notes, suggestion of thyme, perhaps, the Gewürztraminer leading this one. 


Marries texture to acidity, flesh and bones. Stonefruit, more pear and citrus. Good presence about it, perhaps you'd say complex - with an inviting simplicity. Good wine, if perhaps the driving length and composure to make it great. 90

 Tasted on: Wednesday 7th March, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://toppers.com.au/

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Tapanappa Cabernet Shiraz 2014

  08:30    

Lots of new French oak, 90% in fact. It's 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance being 15% Shiraz. 
Tobacco, cassis, oak; rich and ripe - sense of fullness to the body, brooding and of impressive stature.

That said, it feels light on entry, with spice, wood, tobacco, black olive and a milky chocolate element. 92  

 Tasted on: Sunday 15th April, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au/

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Tuesday, 5 June 2018

Ferngrove Independence Shiraz 2017

  17:33    

[with a touch of Pinot Noir]

Mash of black fruit, briary/hedgerow, a mere suggestion of stemmy funkiness. Sweeter accents of entry, blackcurrant pastilles and hints of cherry. Pretty solid, fine rub of tannin. 

Solid drinking proposition. 89 

 Tasted on: Friday 1st June, a Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.ferngrove.com.au

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Monday, 4 June 2018

Huntington Estate Chardonnay 2017

  14:30    

Peach and a smattering of cantaloupe melon lead this one out of the glass. Smells a little ‘green’, over a golden edge - yes I do believe that colour smells.

Nice weight, presence on entry; golden, creamy almost treacly in aspects. Doesn’t carry the conviction of better Chardonnay and more than a glass was a bit of a task.


Needs some time to settle. 88 

 Tasted on: Saturday 2nd June, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 13.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 1.5m Chardonnay 2016

  08:45    

Despite, in-spite, because of - who knows - this coming from a vintage that challenged, one that Brian Croser commented as: "uncharted territory for me even after 47 vintages”; this is exquisite Chardonnay. The Tiers has, rightly, established itself as one of (if not the) greatest Australian Chardonnay vineyard. 

Delicate, and leading with a mix of fig and roasted nut character, and an oh-so delicate level of struck match character. A seasoning, rather than leading player.

The palate lends more of a creamy citrus, oak-kissed, with more a creamy hazelnut bent to it. Citrus cuts and thrusts through the length of the wine, for all its probing it just delivers a generous length of flavour. 93+ 

 Tasted on: Saturday 2nd June, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap 
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au/

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