The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

This Wine Blog

This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

I'm a wine drinker, and this blog is about wine, not just Australian wine.

If you wish to contact me, please do so here.
All content of this Australian Wine Blog © Stuart Robinson - The Vinsomniac. Powered by Blogger.

Monday, 10 August 2020

Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Shiraz 2018

  08:30    

Dark plummy vibes, with something like a nutty and biscuit oak backing up. 

The palate is consistent with the dark fruit profile, supplementing that with spiced nuances and soft tannins that cascade across the palate. 

This wine feels akin to a plush blanket on a cool night, wrapping its charms around the imbiber. The Lake Doctor certainly revives and enlivens, whatever the weather. 91 

 Tasted on: Saturday 20th June
Source: Sample
Price: $27.50
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://zontesfootstep.com.au/

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

   / /

  No Comments

Sunday, 9 August 2020

Blue Pyrenees Estate Merlot 2017

  20:56    

A blue and black fruit mix, a kiss of vanilla accented oak. Hints of minty
eucalypt. Seemingly quite subtle on the aromatics initially, cool and calm. 

Good structure, fine and chalky tannins provide carry and substance. Fruit presence is there, again that blue and black fruit mix, subtle depth and sustain of finish. Good wine and a good intro to the reds of the house. 88 

Tasted on: Saturday 13th June
Source: Sample
Price: $28 
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.bluepyrenees.com.au/

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

   / /

  No Comments

Friday, 7 August 2020

Battle of Bosworth Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

  21:35    

McLaren Vale Cabernet has long been a personal guilty pleasure. Yet it seems overlooked - certainly, historically at least, compared to Shiraz and more recently 
with emerging varieties perhaps gaining a foothold. 

A: Battle of Bosworth have been long regarded, both within the region, and more broadly in Australia. An early adopter of organic principles - converting back in 1995 - the winery logo of Soursobs part of that commitment.

Bay and cedar. Inviting from the off. It carries both a seasoning and set to a subtle fruit freshness. 

That's a freshness that carries across the palate. Not without tannin, it possesses structure with fruit presence to make it a compelling proposition. 91 

Tasted on: Friday 29th May
Source: Retail
Price: $10
Alcohol: 14.5% 
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.battleofbosworth.com.au/

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

   / /

  No Comments

Thursday, 2 July 2020

Fat 'n' Skinny Pinot Grigio 2018

  16:30    

Soft and ripe pear, hints of what feels like flaked almond. Gentle florals adding to the overall package. 

Quite generous across the palate, texture and a crispness of acidity and spice. Balanced, varietal, not sure what more one could want or ask of the variety.

You'd not be disappointed here, perhaps showing the advantage an extra year in bottle brings (2018, released in 2020). 90 

 Tasted on: Wednesday 24th June
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://hastwellandlightfoot.com.au/

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

   / /

  No Comments

Langmeil Blockbuster Shiraz 2017

  08:30    

A dense Plum and Mulberry mix of fruit, consistent across both aroma and palate. 

On a cool Autumn eve, this paired well with a simple pan fried grass fed Sirloin, both providing the comfort that such a night demanded.

The palate also conveys a succulence, a fine thread of silken tannin that pulls along a subtle frame of oak in support. It's an oft written cliché that a generous red can be like sinking into a favourite easy chair, yet the soft palate and gentle oak frame of this wine convey just that. 89

 Tasted on: Monday 25th May
Source: Retail
Price: $25
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.langmeilwinery.com.au/

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

   / /

  No Comments

Wednesday, 1 July 2020

La Violetta Ü Röck Döts 2018

  16:30    

A blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Grauburgunder. 

Rosewater and muskiness of the Gewürz leads, and certainly flows through to the palate too. I specifically chose this to match the heat of some fresh chilli in a Thai Curry - boy is it more than up for the task! 

Even with what feels like lavish texture with the extra sugar, there's still a finesse and a mineral quality across the palate. It's co-fermented in large format oak, I'd suggest that further aids texture and body, and coupled with quality fruit gives driving length. 

Bloody good wine, even better pairing for the bird's eyes liberally applied. 94 

 Tasted on: Wednesday 24th June 
Source: Retail
Price: $44
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://laviolettawines.com.au/

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

   / / / /

  No Comments

Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif 2017

  08:30    

It seems there's been a subtle shift in the release strategy of Yelland & Papp's Vin de Soif. From previous reviews (notes here) it was typically released some 18 months post-harvest, now something approaching three years. Observation, nothing more.

The blend, being Grenache, Mataro and Carignan, is consitent. The wine itself opens with the fresh, less-is-more, allure of bright, fresh and crunchy Grenache derived red fruit. 

Light, open and airy on initial taste, giving way to depth - there's approimately 38% whole bunch used - and crunch on the palate. Jeez, it's been a while between drinks for myself and the 'Soif', yet the thirst remains strong.

This wine is a testament to the quality of fruit and winemaking, freshness personified, released as a 3yo you'd easily be forgiven thinking it a fresh, nouveau style 2020 release. Impressive. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 25th June 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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

   / / / /

  No Comments

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)