The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

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Wednesday, 3 July 2019

Pizzini Nebbiolo 2014

  08:30    

Hauntingly aromatic, up front boldness - all raspberry liqueur like, softer rosewater elements lingering in the background. 

Initial brightness of acidity, follows with fine tannins and a wave of flavour. An earthiness, touches of leather. Firm, yet elegant, has a semblance of texture about the palate. Keep going back to that aroma, hooking and luring, nothing about the palate diminishing the intro. 


Aussie Nebbiolo at 5yo, just hitting its straps. 94 

 Tasted on: Tuesday 5th March, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.pizzini.com.au

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Tuesday, 2 July 2019

Heartland Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

  17:30    

Cracking Cabernet on offer here at a sub-$20 ask. From the off its all savoury, sage leaf and capsicum, hints of sawdust. Designed to appeal from the get-go, it doesn't disappoint. 

Has a slight plumpness to the body, fine tannin and more than a touch of freshening acidity. Black fruit abounds through the middle, perking up a little and carried by the aforementioned acidity. 

Great buy and accompaniment to a family roast without smashing the kids piggy-bank. 90 

 Tasted on: Wednesday 13th March, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $19
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.heartlandwines.com.au

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Castle Rock A&W Reserve Riesling 2017

  12:30    

The fruit being from the best three tonnes of Riesling off the Castle Rock Estate vineyard. It's handpicked, whole bunched pressed and left on light lees for two months. I've been highly impressed with the wines from Castle Rock, this Riesling just seems to take that to the next level!

From the get go it marks itself as something different, delicate white florals meets a creamy lemongrass and citrus aspect 

It's on the palate where the guiding hand of the winemaker shows: a fine phenolic rub from the time on lees works with the acidity to deliver a subtle length, ebbing along. It's all manner of citrus and generous in its expression. A superb Riesling. 94 

 Tasted on: Wednesday 1st May, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://castlerockestate.com.au

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Alkoomi Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

  08:30    

Feels fairly tight at this stage, more by way of bitter dark chocolate and coffee grounds. Frankland River, where Alkoomi craft their wines, is a cool region, influenced by the Great Southern Ocean. 

Subtle hints of Plum and oak barely give any suggestion to what may lie within. On first taste, it's a medium to full bodied wine, blackcurrant hints and framed up with quality French oak. 

It needs time to come together, still feeling raw and somewhat blocky. Has the indications of potential. 90+ 

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd March 
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.alkoomiwines.com.au

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Monday, 1 July 2019

Balancing Rock Campfire Red 2014

  17:30    

Not quite sure what specifically makes this a Campfire Red, although I can see the appeal of sharing with friends around such a feature. Cepage unknown, guessing Shiraz is in the mix at least.

Mulberry, sour Plum, perhaps even a little garrigue and lavender floral notes. Light, supple, per the regional marker. At five years it's taken a little textural weight through the middle, yet hasn't sacrificed fruit sweetness. Tannin somewhat lacking, not long for the asking. 

Drinking now, one to two years max. 90 

 Tasted on: Sunday 16th June, a Leaf day
Source: Retail
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.75%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.balancingrockwines.com.au

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Pizzini White Fields Pinot Grigio 2017

  12:30    

You'd expect that a winery with deep Italian connections would be able to nail the Gris/gio style! Dried straw, vanilla and pear aromatics. Crisp as a summer's day.

There's a complexity to the palate, a nuttiness that segues to a creamy and rounded palate. There's a generous tail of flavour here, that vanilla feel trailing long. 

There's an acidity that clearly marks it in Grigio territory, yet it doesn't come at the expense of flavour and complexity. Well executed. 92 

 Tasted on: Sunday 27th April, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.pizzini.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Custodian Grenache 2016

  08:30    

Grenache and McLaren Vale seemingly go hand in hand. This instance of The Custodian is a deeper manifestation of McLaren Vale Grenache, true to its self and roots. Straddles that dense, ripe line of jubey red fruit, supplemented with tart cranberry and something like hibiscus.

Ripe, succulent, layers itself across the palate - spreading itself in fruited waves. Has a fine tannin, but it's the ripeness - with a touch of boozy warmth - that leaves its mark. 90 

 Tasted on: Thursday 21st February, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.darenberg.com.au

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