The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

Thursday, 15 January 2026

Huntington Estate Grenache 2024

08:00 Stu.

So far, 2024s from Mudgee are looking denser in their initial presentation. Dark and black fruit, not necessarily jammy on the nose - but it certainly conveys a sense of "fruits of the forest" on the initial fore-palate.

There's a curl of sweetness through the palate and to the spine. It actually builds into something, almost licorice like. There's a smattering of dark cocoa, a lingering bittering counterpoint to the initial fruit burst. 90

Tasted on: Thursday 18th September
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.huntingtonestate.com.au/

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2024 / grenache / Mudgee

Wednesday, 14 January 2026

Feudo Arancio Quèto Grillo 2024

15:00 Stu.

I've seen this Grillo a few tunes over the years, it's an intriguing wine of contrasts - pleasantly so - this 2024 rendition no different.

Aromatics are of citrus, florals, with almond husk in the frame too. The palate differs, with glimpses of stonefruit - coming after a dry entry.

It's on a length of reasonable stature and lingering presence, leaving enough interest before pulling you back in for another sip. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 8th January

Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Diam
Website: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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2024 / Grillo / Sicily

Pig in the House Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

07:20 Stu.

Simply exudes Cabernet from the get-go: cedar, bay, smidgen of doughy oak over sweet accented black fruit.

Palate conveys a darker edge, subtle clove and spice in the mix. Dark chocolate and carried on a decent length. Happily smash this mid-week with pretty much anything with a red protein, nothing too rich mind. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 10th January
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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#Organic / 2024 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Central Ranges

Friday, 7 November 2025

Astrale Chianti Riserva 2021

07:16 Stu.

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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2021 / Chianti Classico / sangiovese

Thursday, 6 November 2025

Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2022

07:00 Stu.

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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2022 / South Australia / Tempranillo

Wednesday, 5 November 2025

Terre à Terres Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2021

15:30 Stu.

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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2021 / Sauvignon Blanc / Wrattonbully

Stockman's Ridge Signature Range Cabernet Franc 2022

07:30 Stu.

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 Stu.

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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2024 / Pinot Gris / Tasmania

De Bortoli Cool Climate Pinot Noir 2024

09:00 Stu.

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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2024 / pinot noir / Yarra Valley

Monday, 3 November 2025

First Ridge Alira Prosecco 2024

16:00 Stu.

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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2025 / Mudgee / Prosecco

Daosa Blanc de Blancs 2019

06:30 Stu.

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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2019 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay / Piccadilly Valley / Sparkling

Sunday, 2 November 2025

Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2024

15:40 Stu.

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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2024 / Marlborough / Sauvignon Blanc

Apricus Hill Pinot Noir 2024

06:30 Stu.

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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2024 / Denmark / Great Southern / pinot noir

Saturday, 1 November 2025

First Ridge Montepulciano 2023

15:33 Stu.

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 Stu.

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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Friday, 31 October 2025

Huntington Estate Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2023

16:00 Stu.

The barrel ferment character sings clearly with this one. It's that barely there toast, over a waxy Broulee character, fennel pollen, citrus bent, and a lanolin top note.

The palate conveys a similar charm, yet bolstered by bright acid that bursts forth through the finish. A minerally edge makes this feel young, fresh and inviting. 91

Tasted on: Friday 17th October
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.huntingtonestate.com.au/

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2023 / Chardonnay / Mudgee

Castel Firmian Teroldego Rotaliano Superiore Riserva 2022

08:00 Stu.

Dense and heady black fruit leads in, touch of oak and tobacco. More oak on the palate - slathers the wine with some texture, but perhaps masking the fruit a little.

Touch of anise over softened tannins. Gentle through the finish, ebbing along nicely - leaving you yearning for another sip. 91

Tasted on: Thursday 16th October
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: DIAM
Sample courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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2022 / Alto-Adige / Italy / Teroldego / Trentino

Thursday, 30 October 2025

De Bortoli One Line Sangiovese 2024

15:30 Stu.

Another product of De Bortoli's One Line range, showcasing the Rutherglen region.

Slight ferrous and salumi notes. The palate is youthful, vibrant - drinking well in, and if, itself - as well as soaking up some Saturday night pizza. Perhaps lacking the structure for anything more substantive, it does what it needs to. 89

Tasted on: Saturday 18th October
Source: Sample
Price: $23.95
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: debortoli.com.au

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Huntington Estate Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

07:46 Stu.

Red fruit over cedary, malty oak. Shiraz may have top billing, but it's Cabernet Sauvignon that dominates.

Meat juices, Rosemary and dried herb - resolves to a firmish tannin and following through to a length of generous proportions. Brightness of acidity flowing through, delivering comely notes of bittering chocolate.

Preferred this with proteins where it wrapped them up and accentuated sweet hints of the meat and juices. 92

Tasted on: Monday 20th October
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.09%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.huntingtonestate.com.au/

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2022 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz

Wednesday, 29 October 2025

Harewood Estate Flux-VII White Blend 2023

15:00 Stu.

Grassy notes dominate, suggesting Sauv-Blanc dominance - at least on aromatics. There's a suggestion of passionfruit and raspberry leaf here too.

The palate - initially - has a softer, rounded edge to it. Citrus and stonefruit, slightly waxy feel across the mid-palate before a good line of acid makes its presence known. Latterly I learn its indeed a Sauvignon Blanc/ Semillon blend - so all's right there at least.

Smart blend of its two constituents. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 19th October
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://harewood.com.au/

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2023 / Great Southern / Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon

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