The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

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Monday, 30 April 2012

Brisbane - A Month of Wine

  21:10    

One of the reasons I got involved with Swirl, Sniff, Spit was a perceived lack of wine tasting events in Brisbane.  Now, in the coming month of May, there is a fantastic array of events happening - a great month for the weather is getting cooler and vintage is over pretty much over for the majority of Australia's winemaking community.  

I though it worthwhile capturing them here, I have no commercial affiliation to any of these, and simply wish to publicise them in the hope that they may come to the attention of a wine loving public.  Use them or lose them as the saying goes...

The events listed here are in chronological order.

Swirl Sniff Spit - Rhone White Tasting - 15th May - Era Bistro
As already stated, I have a personal involvement with this group.  May sees guest presenters Jeremy Pringle, writer at WineWillEatItself and Winemaker Rory Lane of Story Wines leading attendees through White Rhone varieties (principally Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier) and blends thereof.  Aromatic and textural, these varietals are not necessarily known to many, but can age fantastically and pair well with food.  Follow Swirl, Sniff, Spit on twitter and facebook.

Hunter Valley New Generation - 17th May - Venue tbc
I've already posted on this here.  It's a fantastic opportunity to meet a group of innovative winemakers, pushing boundaries, making fantastic wines - and most often doing so with a smile on their face.  It's a rare opportunity to be able to experience an event like this, where all wines will be poured by the winemakers.  Do it: tickets available here.

International Chardonnay Day - 24th May - Clovely Estate City Cellar Door
Notwithstanding hosting this event, the Clovely Estate City Cellar Door (at Red Hill) is a fantastic space and I recently heard from the Chief Vinsomniac that plans are afoot for expansion.  Anyway...these varietal tasting events are an excellent opportunity to taste a range of wines, across a diverse range of styles and regions.  And Chardonnay, possibly more than any other grape, grows in such a range of region of regions, with the winemakers thumbprint easily identified on it.  Contact details for Clovely Estate are via their website.

New World or Old World Wines With Peter Marchant - 30-31 May - Spring Brisbane
Peter Marchant is one of Brisbane's most highly regarded Sommeliers and is currently Fine Wine Manager at Spring Brisbane, a fantastic restaurant and cooking school on Felix and Mary in Brisbane's CBD.  Peter Marchant is hosting two wine tastings in May, firstly the opportunity to taste through New World wines with Peter on 30th May, and then the following night on the 31st Peter will be taking attendees through Old World wines.  A fantastic opportunity to learn from one of the best in the game.

Like I say, no commercial to any of these (other than my involvement with Swirl, Sniff, Spit which is purely for love) and just would love to foster and support a passionate wine community in Brisbane.

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

  

  3 Comments

Zema Estate Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

  07:54    

You know what to expect as you approach the wine, a rich, mix of damson, plum, cassis and chocolate and subtle nuances of oak.  It had me on first introduction.

A wine that is incredibly smooth, it shows no sign of its 15% alcohol, it's a wine that's plush, a wine of depth, substance and power.  Dark berry fruit threads along the line, ample support from tannin structure and cedary oak.  All of this is punctuated by some regional eucalypt.

May not be to the liking of some Cabernet purists who seek elegance, for this is firmly in the 'big' mould, but it has excellent balance and structure.  92 - Very Good
Source: Gift
Price: $55
Alcohol: 15%
Closure: Screwcap

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Pyramids Road Mourvédre 2010

  07:32    

Give this a good decant before drinking, just helps bring some of the fruit through and create a more enjoyable Mataro drinking experience.  Initially it's quite a 'woody' wine, get through that and you'll see hallmark notes of dark cherry and plum, supported by some spice on the nose, star anise and clove for me.

Smooth on entry, moreishly so, grainy tannin provides textural interest, the spice a counterpoint to this and the fruit that flows into the palate.

There's good length too, it's more of the same spice - a hint of liquorice - and fruit; carried, propelled by the tannin.  For me and my Mataro addiction I'd have liked to have seen more classic fruit character coming through on the nose.  

I had the privilege of tasting a barrel sample (still going through malolactic conversion) and I'm really looking forward to that wine, it's already exhibiting fantastic depth and intensity of flavour, an aromatic profile of depth and intensity - what I have come to expect in this varietal. 90/91 - Good/ Very Good

Source: Gift
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap

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  5 Comments

Domaine Lucci Pinot Noir 2009

  07:18    

For me, the wines of Domaine Lucci/ Lucy Margaux/ Anton Van Klopper were a star that shone very brightly around the end of 2010/ early 2011, and then faded just as quickly.  I was initially rather taken with the Wines: the Wildman Pinot Noir had me enthralled; the 'Red' (2008 and 2010) fantastic juicy, easy-drinking wines; and the Lucy Margaux single-vineyard wine left me a little hollow, I expected more.  And it failed to deliver.  My issue maybe, but the end result was I left a couple of bottles in the cellar to pluck up the courage to revisit.

Yes - Wet stone, damp earth, mulch and woody-stemmy characters greet you on arrival, background sour cherry and some muted cherry - all good so far.  In the mouth, a little edgy, more cherry coming on, the fruit is quite tart.  There's an edge to the wine, a touch of mineral, adding interest - not prominent, but noticeable nonetheless.   Further, there's a pleasurable mix of spice - some pepper - carried by the tannin on the palate, the tannin carrying the line of the wine forward to it's conclusion. Rather enjoyable this: 90 - Good.

Source: Retail, Spiros Toowong
Price: $30 ish
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: DIAM

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Friday, 27 April 2012

Prepping for the Good Food and Wine Show

  20:22    


~
This is a guest post that I did for the Good Food and Wine Show blog.  Fairly basic, it outlines some pointers for folk to get the best out of attending the show.  I drew from experience as both an attendee and also having worked on a stand in 2011. The blog in its original context can be found here.

It's that time of year when Winos and Foodies start getting excited about the good Food and Wine Show coming to their respective state capital city (Tasmania excepted).  Starting with Melbourne (June 1-3), then Sydney (June 22-24), Perth (July 13-15), Adelaide (October 12-14) and then finally Brisbane (November 9-11).  The shows are an excellent opportunity for the wine lover to get to see new and exciting releases from some of Australia's top wineries.
 ~
Now, whilst the temptation may be there to avail of the samples on offer, here are a few handy tips you can take on board to get the most out of the experience.

Plan - keep an eye out for which producers are exhibiting via the GFWS website, and on the day pick up a program that will show you which stand they are located on.
  
Prioritise - Work out which exhibitors you'd like to see first, some of them bring limited stock and popular wines sell out fast.  Some exhibitors have the odd bottle of something special - a brand new release or a premium label - that it might pay to get in early to taste and buy!

Eat something - Seriously, it pays to have a good breakfast inside you to start the day well, and ensure you take a lunch break - pick up something from one of the exhibitors.

Comfort – You’ll be on your feet for a while, wear something comfortable.

Courtesy – Be considerate of those around you, no barging or jostling – there’s normally plenty to go around and everyone will get a pour.

Enjoy – most importantly - it’s a great day out and you’ll get to meet some great producers with fascinating stories and wines.  Take a bottle or two home to remember your day by, and if there’s something that really took your eye, buy a case – most of the exhibitors will be able to take orders and send on cases to you at home so you don’t need to carry it.
~

Be great to hear your top tips for enjoying the show, add them to the comments below.

Competition: 
The Competition that ran to win tickets to the Melbourne GFWS is now closed and the winner has been notified.

  

  10 Comments

Thursday, 26 April 2012

A.Retief The Cabernets 2009

  22:16    

I initially preferred this wine to the 2008.  On opening the aromatics were much more pronounced, I thought this the wine with the higher percentage of Petit Verdot.  

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) sourced from Gundagai, along with Petit Verdot (10%) and Malbec (5%) from Hilltops.  Aromatically very pronounced on opening; bright, perky, even perty, lifted aromatics coming out of the glass - floral - wild flowers wafting, inviting.  

Smooth on entry, a foundation of oak and tobacco; a resurgent fruit/ floral combination towards the conclusion.  This gives the wine the effect of a secondary movement before good structured tannin provides length, good lingering length.  Very drinkable, you find yourself going back for more.  Fades over a day, one for now.  90 - Good

Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap

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A.Retief Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot Malbec 2008

  22:14    

The shy older brother compared to the 2009.  It needed a full day in a decanter for the aromatics to sing - and day two saw a wine much more expressive, perfumed, floral than it first appeared on opening. 

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Petit Verdot (30%) and Malbec (10%) - a good 'Bordeaux' blend, blends no doubt familiar to the winemaker from time spent with Chateau Lagarde.  In the mouth it's medium bodied, well balanced - with grainy mouth-coating tannin creeping up on you.  Smoky and cedary, some requisite Cabernet leaf and tobacco character alluding to the 60% Cabernet Sauvignon.  

The tannin provides length, berry elements bring themselves into the equation too, and a fair length it is: some 30-60 seconds of cedary, leafy, tobacco notes staying in the mouth.  The Cabernet and Malbec working in unison to create this effect; smooth, powerful, flow - balance and drive.  Just give it some time.  92 - Very Good.
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol:13.5%
Closure:Screwcap

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