The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

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Monday, 28 April 2014

S.C Pannell Adelaide Hills Syrah 2012

  12:26    

Whilst having been familiar with the producer, the product has largely remained off of my radar until recently. A change of distribution in and around the Brisbane/ SEQ area has seen greater availability in the retail space.

 Sees 25% whole-bunch with partial carbonic, there's 3% Viognier in the mix - it doesn't show, possibly the only clue is the vibrant purple-edge to the rim - small open top fermenters and then 20 months in large format French oak, 20% of which is new.

 Why did I bother to write all that - winer nerdery aside - it all goes to contribute to a wine that, whilst initially showing cool elements, delivers a wine that is ultra-smooth, polished.

 Meaty, charred meat and pan juices. That vibrant edge, a mere suggestion of floral lift the clues to the addition of a little Viognier. Polished, yet carrying a substantive presence in the mouth; ultra-fine tannin, graphite, dusky violets and a little black fruit. 

 Composed, generous, substantive - yet gentle - length. An impressive wine, all the more so at the price. Sold out ex-winery, still available around the retail blocks. 93

 Tasted on: Thursday 10th April, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Retail
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.pannell.com.au/

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Monday, 21 April 2014

Out of Step Wine Co. Malakoff Estate Nebbiolo 2013

  13:23    


When a producer goes to the effort of naming the source of fruit for a wine, I'm generally of the opinion that I should seek more information about it:

"Just south of Landsborough, in the slopes of Victoria's Pyrenees, lies this beautiful Nebbiolo vineyard. Planted in 2000 and run by father and son team Robert and Cameron John" Source: http://www.fletcherwines.com/

 Excellent first effort from the Out of Step team, slight hazy, semi-opaque with a cherry/ garnet hue. Morello cherry, light florals, a little bitter citrus and red fruit by way of a little raspberry and macerated strawberry.

 Cherry, touches of red fruit crumble here too; tannin is firm yet with a yielding powdery feel, as befits the style sought by the team, with minimal contact. It's fresh, long and persistent on the finish with a suggestion of depth. Really enjoyed this, with and without food, on opening and with time. 92

 Tasted on: Saturday 19th April, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.outofstepwineco.com/

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Massolino Langhe DOC Nebbiolo 2011

  13:22    

To my mind, in my never-ending questing to learn about wine, Langhe can be a little confusing. It refers to the hills (langa) north and south of Alba, and here we are interested in the Langhe Nebbiolo DOC. 

 Under the DOC it is possible to use up to 15% non-Nebbiolo fruit - this example here is 100% Nebbiolo - and producers are known to use the DOC to release wines from Barolo and Barbaresco earlier to market (as to do so allows them not to be bound by those DOCGs) though they would only generally do so with the youngest fruit, or fruit off vines from poorly located sites.

 Florals, fresh sage and dried herb, red berries - cherry and a little redcurrant, Pot Pourri floral elegance too. The palate shows power and concentration, tannin is firm - a touch peppery, with acid pinching the palate a little. Dried herbs, dusky red fruits and finishing with powdery tannin that flows and dominates, but without length per se. 91

 Tasted on: Saturday 19th April, a Leaf Day
Source: Retail, The Wine Emporium
Price: $49
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.massolino.it/en/

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Kirrihill Clare Valley Nebbiolo 2012

  13:19    


Lovely pronounced aromas cherry blossom and touches of rose. Quite captivating aromatics. Strikes me that much of what is good about the wine is there on the nose.

 A little of that cherry character flows through onto the palate, thereafter it's all about ferrous, drying tannin without much else by way of additional flavour. A shame, it started out so promising with that alluring perfume. 85

 Tasted on: Sunday 20th April, a Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.kirrihillwines.com.au/

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Sunday, 20 April 2014

Yelland & Papps Second Take Shiraz 2013

  11:56    


Initially red fruits abound: raspberry, satsuma plum, a little citrus...I could go on. Secondarily, a touch meaty with a little liquorice and cassis. It grows in stature with a little time, become a bolder wine than it was.

 Sandy, powdery tannin - it felt like the crunch underfoot of fresh powder after a good snowfall - a marvellous textural feel followed by crunchy and vibrant acidity. Then, there's dark soy through the palate and dark fruits, but it's the tannin structure makes it for me.

 Concludes with a little bitter citrus twist. Superb. 93

 Tasted on: Wednesday 9th April, a Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yellandandpapps.com/

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Thursday, 10 April 2014

Dodgy Bros Grenache Shiraz Mourvédre 2012

  15:31    


"I've got an aching in my bones, 

I've been exposed to what I want to see"
~ Dodgy, Good Enough

 Reliving my teen years there. A big and ripe wine reflective of its provenance, of the early ripening Sellick Hills of McLaren Vale. Fruit drawn from a range of vineyards across the (unofficial) sub-region. 

 Opens with driven aromatics, of Grenache initially; latterly moves towards meat and earthen compounds, before settling back with cassis. A pleasant meander across its aromatic spectrum.

 Concentrated, bold, of chocolate and blueberry; powdery tannins that envelope the mouth, raspberry comes and goes - fruity high notes with chocolate and dried earth bass lines. With time in glass we see some burnt orange and the alcohol becomes a little more evident toward the finish.

 Powdery cocoa tannin lingers on toward the finish, concentrated fruit delivers a final punch. You'd have to appreciate the bold style to really enjoy this, overall it drinks and holds up well - an attractive proposition. 91

 Tasted on: Tuesday 8th April, a Flower transitioning to a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 15%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.dodgybrotherswines.com/

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Wednesday, 9 April 2014

Duck Duck Goose Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

  14:43    

Tasted blind in a bracket of 7 Cabernet Sauvignon/ dominant blends.

 Dark, prune and raisin. Thick, lush and plush; touch of fruit and nut chocolate about it. Good-ish, gentler than initially thought. 'They' would love it, a crowd-pleaser. 87

 Tasted on: Tuesday 1st April, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com/

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