The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

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Friday, 7 November 2025

Astrale Chianti Riserva 2021

  07:16    


Deep, almost like a raw beef and blood depth here, over black fruit, subtle herb drawing in. 


Good weight on entry, delicate and balanced. Nice rub of tannin, subtle coarseness. Tannins drive length as they cascade across the finish - latter resurgent red fruits, touch of baked spice. Solid overall package. Almost nudging 92 here. 91


Tasted on: Wednesday 5th November
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Cork
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Thursday, 6 November 2025

Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2022

  07:00    


Wine shouldn't be this good for fifteen clams! Fresh and youthful take on Tempranillo, all brambly black fruit, quite primary. 


Light, lithe, supple - a delicate weight to it too, ethereal if you like. Veers towards a savoury bitterness towards the finish. Would stand shoulder to shoulder alongside 'Joven' styles double the price. Not recommended to pair with clams. 90


Tasted on: Wednesday 29th October
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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Wednesday, 5 November 2025

Terre à Terres Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2021

  15:30    


Almond paste, baked goods, passionfruit - layers of aromatics revealing, unfurling.


Feels a bit lighter in weight - cooler year - yet not at the expense of presence and persistence of flavour. Delightful - almost fruity - acidic remnants about which phenolics hang. Excellent wine, staking a significant claim for the title of Australia's finest. 94


Tasted on: Wednesday 2nd July
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Stockman's Ridge Signature Range Cabernet Franc 2022

  07:30    


Another flag bearer for Cabernet Franc in Orange, Stockman's Ridge Wines with a burgeoning reputation for classical "Bordeaux" varieties.


Red and black fruit mix, over doughy oak and milk chocolate. Flecks of fresh green herbs lifts the game further, freshness personified.


Freshness again in the palate, lovely carry of acidity across the spine. Fine grain of tannin - just enough to coat the mouth and give extra carriage. 91


Tasted on: Tuesday 15th October
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://stockmansridge.com.au/

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Tuesday, 4 November 2025

Parish Vineyards Pinot Gris 2024

  15:00    


Green apple, lemon; granita of aforementioned with a fresh herb lift.


Feels more like Gris/gio, with both a textural lick, accompanied with a minerally acid tinge. Cool climate Gris is something we should embrace - and hope to see more of. A lingering presence of flavour sure leaves its mark on the memory and palate. 92


Tasted on: Friday 25th July
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Closure: Screwcap
Website: Hill- Smith Family Estates

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De Bortoli Cool Climate Pinot Noir 2024

  09:00    


Savoury lead-in, but it's the palate where this brings forth its varietal and regional qualities.


It's made by the Yarra Valley winemaking team of Kate Webber and Jai Harrop, distinguished winemakers in their own right, and each from winemaking families of renown. 


Black cherry and plum with some cool clime herbal character. Whilst being a lighter expression, it flows through on a decent length of flavour. Nice grip of tannin, twist of black pepper. Ready to go now! 90


Tasted on: Sunday 12th October
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: debortoli.com.au

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Monday, 3 November 2025

First Ridge Alira Prosecco 2024

  16:00    


A light petillence on pour. Somewhat mute aromatics, but the palate conveys a delicate balance of citrus, lemon butter - even a suggestion of lemon thyme here. 


A soft entry leads a minerally dance across the palate, subtle layering of flavour flows through to a finish of cleansing acidity. You'd happily see a bottle off over a light luncheon. 90


Tasted on: Wednesday 29th October
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 11.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.firstridge.com.au/

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Daosa Blanc de Blancs 2019

  06:30    


100% Chardonnay from the Bizot Vineyard, 10 months in old oak. Dropping yellow Nectarine, Citrus and Quince - the latter coming in strong, elevating the wine to something of definite interest. 


The palate refined and composed, a generous mousse about a taut line of acidity. Elegant and generous length to it. One to savour. 94


Tasted on: Tuesday 12th December
Source: Sample
Price: $90
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: DIAM
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Sunday, 2 November 2025

Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2024

  15:40    


Classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - albeit with somewhat more honed, crafted qualities - as the world has come to know and love.


Gooseberry, blackcurrant leaf, subtle passionfruit. The palate is gentle, resolving beautifully across the palate. Acid is subtle, giving graceful length and precision - overall its exceptionally balanced and well-handled. Excellent winemaking. 92


Tasted on: Sunday 24th August
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.nautilusestate.com/

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Apricus Hill Pinot Noir 2024

  06:30    


Deep and dark style of a Pinot Noir. Black fruit, veering to smoked meat - like a clove studded ham - following through to chocolate notes.


Palate conveys a similar depth of flavour. Touch of bitterness through the latter part of the palate. Tannins are fine, tight, mouth-coating. 91


Tasted on: Sunday 31st August
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Saturday, 1 November 2025

First Ridge Montepulciano 2023

  15:33    


Black fruit, plum skin - quite heady. This thick skimmed variety should go OK in the warmth and altitude of Mudgee once it's established.


In this 2023 guide its quite thick, chewy - some good plump tannin helps it roll around the palate. Look to see some better varietal definition and a touch more finesse with some additional experience and Vine age. 90


Tasted on: Saturday 27th September
Source:Sample
Price: $45 
Alcohol:14.6%
Closure: Mudgee
Website: https://www.firstridge.com.au/

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Harewood Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2021

  07:00    


Black fruit, bay, nutty oak, chocolate. Has a generosity through the finish - pulling up with a not unpleasant bitterness. That lingering presence lends it a greater authority. 90


Tasted on: Tuesday 7th October
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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