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.

Thursday, 27 August 2020

Harewood Estate Flux VII Pinot Gris Gewürz Riesling 2018

  16:30    

A trio of Alsatian stalwarts, here growing alongside each other in Great Southern's Frankland River. It's comprised of Pinot Gris (60%), Gewurztraminer (30%) and Riesling (10%). 

Certainly an interesting blend. The muskiness of the Gewürz is immediately evident, and flows through to the palate, lending a lively and almost spritz-like bent to things.

The palate has a fine spine of acid, about which hangs a gentle textural play. Gentle is the right word, softly ebbing along to its conclusion. 92 

 Tasted on: Friday 31st July 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://harewood.com.au/

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

   / / / /

  No Comments

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Franc Shiraz 2018

  08:30    

Fruity, plummy, touch of that pippy lift that Cabernet Franc can often have. Milk chocolate, sage - certainly that creamy tinge that particular herb lends.

The depth of Shiraz is certainly conveyed, it's well structured, yet fresh. The apparent contradictions of those statements unsurprising to those familiar with these wines. Black fruits soars on the coat tails through the finish, a glorious succulence to the finish. 93 

 Tasted on: Tuesday 4th August 
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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

   / / /

  No Comments

Wednesday, 26 August 2020

De Bortoli Grenache Wizardry Heathcote Grenache 2018

  19:05    

It's not too far a stretch for a renowned producer of Pinot Noir out of the Yarra to make a foray into Grenache from the high and volcanic climes of Heathcote. 

Initial heft, of dusky and full plum and damson, suggestions of ripeness with a touch of spice and woodsmoke to set that off.

The palate shows richness and ripeness, yet with a succulence and smoothness across the middle and latter thirds. 


Something like a hint of chocolate, carrying the wine across the finish line. 91 

Tasted on: Wednesday 29th July 
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: debortoli.com.au

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

   / /

  No Comments

Friday, 21 August 2020

Yelland and Papps Second Take Grenache 2019

  08:30    

A full range of techniques employed here, with varying portions of whole bunch and whole berry, one portion sent to puncheons as whole bunches for carbonic (internal to the grape) maceration. Good work.

The depth of fruit on this release is impressive, throwing this raspberry/ boysenberry vibe that just seemingly permeates and penetrates the nasal cavity.

The succulence that then follows across the palate is equally impressive. Freshness of fruit personified, there's a sour cherry aspect, yet with a spice tinged depth that just takes you on a whirlwind ride across the palate. A perpetual acidity just gives and gives and gives. 94 

 Tasted on: Tuesday 30th June 
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 12.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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

   / /

  No Comments

Thursday, 20 August 2020

Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2020

  16:30    

Challenging conditions up in the Hills in 2020, yet the S+S team has again crafted a Sauvignon Blanc that stands tall amongst producers of the variety in Australia.

It’s nigh crystal clear in glass, yet approach it with a different sense and it offers the unmistakable tropical tinges that one comes to expect from an example such as this. It’s passionfruit, guava and hints of blackcurrant leaf luring in the imbiber.


Rich, playful in the mouth, acid seems dialled back a touch - even though it still clocks in at 12.5%. The well handled phenolics perhaps just providing a foil that provides a finish of more than satisfactory conclusion. 92 

 Tasted on: Tuesday 18th August
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.shawandsmith.com/

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

   / /

  No Comments

Heartland Shiraz 2018

  08:30    

Opens slightly reductive, veering to meaty pan juices, black fruit with a softer edge of blue fruit. The palate is beautifully balanced, enticing with an almost sweet/savoury mix, both driven by fruit and a complex edge of hedgerow like fruit, supplemented with a just sour tang. 

You'd seek complexity and quality in a wine twice the asking price of this. More than happy to have cracked the screw on this on a Monday night, thinking I was getting a sub-$20 wine. Great drinking. 91 

 Tasted on: Monday 29th June 
Source: Sample
Price: $19
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.heartlandwines.com.au/

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

   / /

  No Comments

Wednesday, 19 August 2020

Tellurian Heathcote Rosé 2019

  16:30    

A right old mix of fruit here, being: Shiraz 50%, Nero d’Avola 22%, Grenache 15% and Mourvèdre 13%.

Offers gentle red fruit against something like a flint and dried herb backdrop. Bright and fresh line of acidity zips across the palate, casting a textural shadow with it. 

There's spice that adds to the depth and interest, gentle phenolics adding to that. Complexity, interest, downright drinkability. Assured winemaking for sure. Get into it. 93 

 Tasted on: Monday 13th July 
Source: Retail
Price: $23
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.tellurianwines.com.au/

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

   / / / / / /

  No Comments

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)