The Vinsomniac

Ballycroft Small Berry 'French' Shiraz 2010

2013-05-26T08:00:00.001+10:00

Ballycroft is a winery based in Greenock in the Barossa's North-west. Owned and run by Joseph and Susan Evans, Ballycroft is Gaelic for village farm.

Picked on Valentine's day in 2010, the harvest yielded a tad over 1300KG from 1 acre planted in 1999. Vines are hitting good a good age.

The wine opens a little vanilla accented - the wine spent 28 months in a shaved out French oak Barrique, hence the name - with dense black fruits, rich and chocolatey. It proudly wears its sub-regional hat. Over time, it opens further, becoming more expressive - a recommendation to cellar here.

The palate is full, silken and velvety, layers of chocolate with a hint of toasty oak in cascading waves. There's moderate length, good persistence of flavour - if lacking in a little intensity. If you have some of this in the cellar, it does drink well now - but the recommendation is to hold off for at least another 3 to enjoy at its best. 90 - Good

Tasted on: Monday 6th May, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $TBC
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.ballycroft.com

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Yelland & Papps Second Take Grenache 2012

2013-05-20T06:48:00.000+10:00

The third wine in the Yelland & Papps Second Take range (after the Roussanne and Shiraz). Sees a fair use of whole bunch, 20% and a slightly extended period on skins of 14 days. Oak use is 17% new French and 83% 1-2 year old American.

Pristine fruit shines through here, red fruits primarily, but they do not have a monopoly. It's fresh, florals add an extra dimension and just when you think it's all soft, pretty fruit there's a licorice twist with a touch of peppered steak. Beautiful Grenache.

Spice on entry gives way to fruit; there's a good acidic framework, gives the wine a drive and velvety wash. Tannin is ultra-fine adding to that. Final word is from morello cherry meeting raspberry coulis on a generous length. A stayer. 92 - Very Good

Tasted on: Saturday 4th May, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yellandandpapps.com

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Tyrrell's Belford Chardonnay 2009

2013-05-20T06:47:00.000+10:00

The story goes that in the 80's Murray Tyrrell persuaded the vineyard owner to pull out some Shiraz in the Belford vineyard, a variety that didn't fair so well in the sandy soils in a wet year. The trade-off was some plantings of Chardonnay from the renowned HVD vineyard.

So, 420 dozen made, sees no malolactic fermentation and a fair bit of new oak, mainly barriques. Opens with a hint of cashew, toasty and biscuity oak is fairly prominent too.

Fairly loose and open palate structure, toasty oak supports here and a bit of lively acid still shows. Oak presence is not obtrusive, and there's a balance between the oak, acid and fruit. Finishes toasty with melon and stonefruit, fairly classy - good quality components - nicely straddles a line between the Chardonnay of our past and the modern Australian way. 91 - Very Good

Tasted on: Saturday 18th May, a Leaf Day
Source: Gift
Price: $34 RRP
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.tyrrells.com.au/

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Telmo Rodriguez Tinto Joven A1 Muvedre 2010

2013-05-19T11:28:00.001+10:00

Opens beefy and meaty, a hint of sun baked earth and old leather. So far, so good.

Tastes tart, excessively so. Not good. Bottle meet sink, sink meet bottle. End of. Life's too short to drink this. Poor

Tasted on: Saturday 4th May, a Flower Day
Source: Retail, XO Cellars
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.telmorodriguez.com/

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Yalumba Y Series Merlot 2011

2013-05-19T11:19:00.001+10:00

The Yalumba Y series range represent extraordinary value. It's fair to say the reds from 2011 struggled a little. Still, I found this example to speak of its variety.

Opens with hints of plum, fruitcake and a touch of herb and tar. The palate lacks somewhat with spiky acidity an issue. There are hints of coffee and mocha, tannin a little stalky.

I was happily consuming this with a midweek dish of fresh pasta with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, the acid and tannin working well with the sauce. 85 - Average

Tasted on: Wednesday 1st May, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $14.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yalumba.com

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d'Arenberg Ironstone Pressings 2009

2013-05-19T07:26:00.000+10:00

The name stems from the sedimentary rock containing iron, freshly cleaved it is grey in appearance, but oxidises with exposure, giving it a red-brown colour. You can see it in use as a building material at d'Arenberg.

Opens with a dense concoction of red and black fruit jam; the weight of fruit is a significant presence, pressing down - dense, dark and chocolately.

The palate shows a sweet mass of fruit co-mingled with some sensible oak; tannin is a little chewy and rubbery, a core component of the wine's structure. Segues nicely to a little warmth and black pepper; blueberry hints are noticeable too. A concentrated wine, generous, layered and long. 92 - Very Good

Tasted on: Saturday 27th April, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $70
Alcohol:14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.darenberg.com.au

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Glenayr Riesling 2009

2013-05-13T21:35:00.001+10:00

From a vineyard planted in 1975, the second oldest in the Coal River area. The Glenayr site contains a nice link for students of trade unions, collective bargaining, (and of course transportation), for the building that now serves as the administration office was the former home of George Loveless, the leader of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. It's not all tasting notes and shoehorning in obscure fruits here.

Honeyed, signs of a little toasty complexity developing; background hint of preserved lemon. Palate structure is open and embracing, abounds with a little bath salts, citrus and fleshy tropical fruit. Balance and restraint here.

The finish is quite modest, staying and persistent, yet the flavour profile on the finish is not as marked as displayed on the palate. 90 - Good

Tasted on: Saturday 27th April, a Flower Day
Source: Gift
Price: $20
Alcohol: 11.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.glenayrwines.com.au

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Alkoomi Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

2013-05-12T14:52:00.001+10:00

Tasted alongside it's 'Icon' stablemate that Blackbutt, and in many ways, as a drink, I preferred the more forward nature of this wine.

Cassis dominant, black fruit supporting; slight dusty character present here too, cedar and hints of coffee-oak. A little tarry with hints of dark chocolate in the mix too.

More of the same on the palate, cassis here with a slight hint of eucalypt and choc-mint character. Tannin is a little more obvious, a little coarser, touch more intrusive. Still, very drinkable now. 90 - Good

Tasted on: Sunday 14th April, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://alkoomiwines.com.au

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Alkoomi Blackbutt 2008

2013-05-12T14:34:00.000+10:00

Subtle perfume initially - a little dusty, violets and a smokey edge - faint.

Constituent varieties are writ large on the palate: creme de cassis, a little pastille; tannin is minimal, yet present, a drying chalky tannin.

Wine shows a little iron/ ferrous note too. Smooth, powerful through the finish. Lovely balance of those two qualities. Subtle length, yet persistent. 92 - Very Good

Tasted on: Sunday 14th April, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $49
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://alkoomiwines.com.au/

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Vinteloper Adelo 2012

2013-05-08T18:39:00.001+10:00

I first tasted the Adelo with its debut release in 2010, and this 2012 sees the wine as a blend of Touriga Nacional (65%), Shiraz (25%), Pinot Noir (6%) and a little of the Grenache (4%) that didn't make the cut for the Urban Winery Project release.

Over an hour or so, the evolution of this wine was quite marked. Initially, yielding little - tight and composed - then, think parma violets crushed with a sprinkle of blue fruits. So welcoming, generous, giving. Quite seductive.

The palate is somewhat fleshy, again quite generous. The Shiraz showing itself alongside its somewhat more natural counterpart Grenache. Generously spice-tinged, a little warmth - not alcohol - and savoury charm.

A little spice and tobacco on the finish, the finish a little moderate compared to that which went before it. 91 - Very Good

Tasted on: Monday 22nd April, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.vinteloper.com.au/

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Casillero del Diablo Pinot Grigio 2012

2013-05-07T06:36:00.000+10:00

Sent as a sample for the Vintage Cellars International Wine Fair, the wines of Casillero del Diablo (House of the Devil) used to be quite common in my household 7-8 years ago, fair to say I've moved on a bit since then.

Overt aromatics, nashi pair, florals and a hint of nuttiness. Certainly no delicate flower this one, it comes on strong - like it's been tricksied and dialled up to 11, even 12.

Acidity is biting on the palate, bold flavours flow from the aromatics. It's commercial in style, but at its price point - often found at the $10 mark - I would suggest offers fair value. 84 - Poor

Tasted on: Saturday 27th April, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $15 RRP
Alcohol:13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.casillerodeldiablo.com

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Pyramids Road Mourvédre 2011

2013-05-06T21:23:00.000+10:00

A modest 120 cases produced, it's a young-un - initially shows quite dark, and opens up, showing black cherry and an array of spice: cinnamon sticks, a dash of mace, some rocket/ pepper there too.

It needs time to settle, the palate showing spice, tanning and elevated levels of acid. Approachable, but it could do with an extra year or so under its belt - as exhibited by how much more approachable is was on a second day, the fruit more prominent.

Length was good, again I return to the spice that was generous, offers a little cranberry and tart citrus at its conclusion. A buy, but hold off if you can. 89 - Good

Tasted on: Saturday 6th April
Source: Retail, Wine Experience
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.pyramidsroad.com.au

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Running With Bulls Vermentino 2012

2013-05-04T13:29:00.001+10:00

RWB is a Hill-Smith family/ Yalumba brand, and for a collective portfolio that executes its marketing very well, I am surprised there exists no stand-alone website for RWB.

Wine's damn good though. Honeysuckle, and a hint of citrus provide an indication of what’s within. However the aromatics don’t allude to the textural nuances of the wine that, for me, are what mark it out from other examples.

Layered with pithy citrus – pretty complex on the palate, hints of barrel work and a yeasty edge provide additional interest. Straddles this line between freshness, tart tang, nutty complexity and a little briny goodness. Concludes with generous length and a little spicy edge. 91 – Very Good

Tasted on: Wednesday 10th April, a Root Day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol:?
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://twitter.com/RWBWine

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Ducks in a Row Fiano 2011

2013-05-04T13:22:00.001+10:00

Ducks in a Row are career winemaker Glenn James and PR hotshot Amanda James-Pritchard. The two met over an amphorae, but that's another story and another wine.

Fresh aromatics that, for a fleeting moment have the ability to take you back to the warmth of summer during these cooler months. Attractive, with fresh green herbs, a little pea and honey.

Clean with good crisp acids, hints of florals, herbs grassy notes with a citrus undercurrent. Concludes with a smooth, if a not exceptionally lengthy finish. 90 – Good

Tasted on: Wednesday 10th April, a Root Day
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://ducksinarow.com.au/

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Pizzini Sangiovese 2011

2013-05-04T13:08:00.004+10:00

King Valley stalwarts Pizzini are one of Australia's leading lights of Italian varietals as per their heritage.

This Sangiovese from 2011 shows cherry and a slight hint of cola cube, it seems sweet on the aromatic front. Medium bodied, gentle, and smooth – less of the savoury, twig and leather character that, for me, is a key characteristic of Sangiovese.

Here, it seems that the cool and wet 2011 vintage in the King valley has had a moderating effect on the wine.

Pretty slurpable, easy to consume and pairs nicely with a juicy tomato based pasta sauce. Simple. Finishes with a hit of good chalky tannin and juicy, vibrant acidity. 89 - Good

Tasted on: Tuesday 9th April, a Root Day
Source: Retail, Grand Central Cellars
Price: $28
Alcohol:?
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.pizzini.com.au/pizzini/

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Daino Suber 2009

2013-05-04T12:52:00.001+10:00

Intriguing blend of Nero d’Avola, Grenache and Frappato hailing from Sicily. Wears the calling card of its warm vintage with a little dried fruit character and of its place with a little earth, iron and sun-baked soil. With time, a little bakewell tart cherry comes through.

The palate shows a wine at odds with its aromatic intro: light and juicy, long and smooth – a silken cravat of a wine. Concludes with a long tail of fruit, such a joy to drink. 91 – Very Good

I'd really recommend you also have a look at their website, some stunning scenes.

Tasted on:Tuesday 9th April, a Root Day
Source:Retail, 1889 Enoteca
Price: $75
Alcohol:14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.vinidaino.it/en

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Yelland and Papps Second Take Shiraz 2012

2013-05-04T08:56:00.002+10:00

The Yelland & Papps Second Take range (includes this Shiraz, a Roussanne, and a Grenache) is an approach to make new world wines using methods traditionally used in old world winemaking.

Using an array of winemaking techniques that we are increasingly seeing more of in Australia: 15% whole bunch, a technique that when employed well, gives perfume and elegance; and extended maceration, 16 days in this case, typically enhancing colour and aiding structure.

Sees minimal new oak - 45% French oak, of which 18% is new, and 55% American, of which 4% new - allows the fruit and other techniques to prevail, no obfuscation by the oak.

Appears dark and leathery initially, shows a sandy/ earthy character, over time a little dried grass; fruit is present - deep seated black, brambly fruits that take a back seat over the few days i had this opened.

Palate structure is a mix of fresh as acid, there's a hint of minerality here; blood and some earthy beet and iron give it a savoury distinctly more-ish appeal. Length is good, fine-balanced and ultra-fine tannin woven through the palate. A little savoury tweak at its conclusion, good persistence of flavour. 93 - Very Good

Brisbaneites might be interested in a Y&P dinner at Claret House on 9th May 2013, for more details: http://www.thewineemporium.com.au/yellandandpapps

Tasted on: Wednesday 17th April, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com

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Pepperilly Purple Patch GMS 2010

2013-04-29T21:21:00.000+10:00

Loved the generosity of this wine. Bright and vibrant on entry, but to call it 'fruity' may lead some to think it simple. There's a fullness of flavour to it, excellent flow, tannins are well integrated and form a neat 1-2 with the fleshy and generous palate.

Aromatically it offers savoury nuances, hints of pan juices with earth and ironstone elements backed up with a little licorice. This is very good drinking, made all the more compelling at its price point. Don't see too much Mataro out West, or indeed the Southern Rhone influenced blend. 91 - Very Good

Tasted on: Thursday 25th April, a Root Day transitioning to Flower
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.pepperilly.com

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Vinteloper Urban Winery Project Grenache 2012

2013-04-28T16:02:00.001+10:00

360 bottles produced, hand bottled and hand labelled, with the label drawn - by hand of course - by winemaker David Bowley's partner.

The Back Story

David Bowley is a pretty innovative winemaker, straddling that line between artist and scientist. His Urban Winery Project, in many respects part art installation alongside temporary working winery, brought the wine-making process to the people, enabling them to participate in the wine making process, and to enjoy the fruits of its labours.

This Grenache - as the name implies - is one product out of that installation's 2012 guise. It is a 100% Grenache from McLaren Vale.

From David, With Love

It's a story of love, of doing 'things', largely. the old fashioned way: machine harvested - probably one of two concessions to modernity - then unloaded one bucket at a time to the fermenters. Trod by foot, sorted and de-stemmed by hand too - a labour of love.

The other concession was the use of a commercial yeast - BP725 for the nerds - a decision taken as David was unsure of the ability of the indigenous yeasts present and at the UWP to ferment to dryness.

Eight days on skins, pressed off using a manual basket press - seeking gentle extraction - to a holding tank before being racked to oak: 2yr French hogshead, 2yr American Oak hogshead and a 5yo French Oak Barrique.

It was allowed to rest and mature for 10 months, before racking off with a minimal addition of sulphur. Of the three separate parcels, only the French Oak hogshead was retained for this wine - the remainder forming part of David's 2012 Adelo blend.

The Wine Itself

A lovely perfume, shows an unforced purity of fruit, of red and black fruits, a subtle brambly mix of mix berries with a little earth over time and latent brown licorice.

Exhibits an almost glacial like purity on the palate, clean with a blackberry and red fruit profile. More than a one-trick pony, it presents a savoury edge, showing the inherent character of Grenache with brown spices and pepper.

Enjoy it for its natural expression, its balance; it doesn't suffer from the overdone nature seen with some Grenache, its finish is one of generosity and persistence with a cheeky wink of spice at its conclusion. 93 - Very Good

Tasted on:25th April, a Root day (transitioning to Flower) and on 27th April, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $Not Publicly Available
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.vinteloper.com.au/

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Terra Felix E'vette's Block Mourvédre 2008

2013-04-25T07:08:00.001+10:00

I reviewed the 2006 version of this about a year or so ago, and whilst this is the better wine, that earlier version punches heavier in the QPR stakes. Unsure as to the price of this, $49.50 is stated on the website - if true that's a fair hike from the $15 of the 2006.

To the wine in question: generous polished plum brandy/ kirsch aromatics, a touch of licorice. This all flows through to the palate, it's smooth and the technique of micro-oxygenation has rendered it very approachable, if at the expense of Mataro's trademark depth.

There's a bit of citrus freshness and zippy acidity about and this contribute to a moderate length with persistence of brambly/ blackcurrant flavour. 89 - Good

Tasted on: Monday 22nd April, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $?
Alcohol:
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.terrafelix.com.au/mourvedre

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Yelland & Papps Second Take Roussanne 2012

2013-04-24T21:26:00.001+10:00

"So, is that a grape variety then?" enquired the Father-in-Law, who I was holidaying with. Upon having that question satisfactorily answered, he declared: "it's alright that, very easy to drink". My work here is done.

Wild yeast fermented, lees stirred; in barrel for 10 months - 100% French Oak, all old. Basically: fantastic palate texture and length.

Hints of bruised apple, a soapy character, enticingly perfumed and not a little unlike a good cider in many respects.

Textural, full - fairly lush and rich. Solids character - the dead yeast cells and the like - the matter that is stirred adds that dimension. Good acidic profile too. Length is gorgeous.

Incidentally, I tasted this four days after having first opened it, that aromatics were still there, and whilst the palate had lost some of its vibrancy, the length was still there - textural, chalky and with a little spicy phenolic hit. A fantastic wine. 94 - Excellent

Tasted on: Saturday 20th April, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com

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Curly Flat Chardonnay 2008

2013-04-15T14:34:00.001+10:00

There are some wines you come across where you think: "I could happily drink that", and then there are wines where your first thought is often along the lines: "[insert expletive] why don't I have more of this in my cellar, where can i get more?". Yes, this is in the latter camp.

At five years, the wine has taken on a lime tinged golden aura. It glows in the glass, and offers lime brulée, a flinty periphery and a modicum of stonefruit. It's not about any of those individual parts, but instead the balance between the three, and the complexity harmonious complexity contributes to.

The palate shows a little tartness early on, it's finely poised though, with stonefruit and melon making way for a mineral lined edge. Texture is apparent, full in the mouth, more than just a line and length merchant.

The finish is effortless, so unforced. I want more. 95 - Excellent

Tasted on: Sunday 7th April, a Flower Day
Source: Cellar
Price: $
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.curlyflat.com

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O'Leary Walker Claire Reserve Shiraz 2008

2013-04-14T22:19:00.000+10:00

Oak. Dark black fruit at its core - cassis - concentrated, an inviting perfume; and beyond the darkness, light with floral notes.

The palate is dark too, showing spice that builds, that creeps, the concentration mentioned earlier - a black hole of a wine. It's at turns unctuous, with dark chocolate and a little bitter grounds, and fine with grainy tannins.

The wine concludes with dark bitter chocolate notes, there's fruit present too, and it shines through. Length is generous, my only quibble is a wee spike of heat at its conclusion. 93 - Very Good

Tasted on: Saturday 6th April, a Root Day
Source: Tasting
Price: $90
Alcohol:14% or 15.1% (Don't ask)
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://olearywalkerwines.com

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Bent Road Winery Marsanne 2010

2013-04-14T11:32:00.001+10:00

Gently honeyed, more about white florals. A little almond, a hint of citrus. Comes across as quite a gentle wine, whispering, not shouting.

Flavours flow through to the palate, there's a little texture - a slight waxy touch - my preference would have been to feel more.

Back palate shows some delicate citrus, acid flares a little, gives an extra leg-up to the wine. Slight creaminess flows on, a little more texture noted. 87/88 - Average/Good

Tasted on: Saturday 6th April, a Fruit Day
Source: Maple St Co-Op, Maleny
Price: $19
Alcohol: 10.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://bentroadwine.bigcartel.com/

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Alkoomi Frankland River Wandoo Semillon 2006

2013-04-14T11:18:00.000+10:00

Preserved lemons over underlying tropical hints - green banana, a little papaya - citrus dominant, like licking sherbet off of a piece of slate.

Palate profile no as congruent with the intense aromatics, acid still present and settling nicely.

A little honey becomes apparent once you allow it to settle in the glass, the wine then speaking more of its terroir with further slate present.

Moderate finish, feels a little truncated in the mouth, yet it does present a lasting flavour profile. 89 - Good

Tasted on: Friday 5th April, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://alkoomiwines.com.au

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