The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

Huntington Estate Grenache 2024

2026-01-15T08:00:00.003+10:00

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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Feudo Arancio Quèto Grillo 2024

2026-01-14T15:00:00.019+10:00

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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Pig in the House Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

2026-01-14T07:20:00.004+10:00

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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Astrale Chianti Riserva 2021

2025-11-07T07:16:00.007+10:00

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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Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2022

2025-11-06T07:00:00.015+10:00

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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Terre à Terres Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2021

2025-11-05T15:30:00.019+10:00

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

2025-11-05T07:30:00.021+10:00

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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Parish Vineyards Pinot Gris 2024

2025-11-04T15:00:00.023+10:00

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

2025-11-04T09:00:00.028+10:00

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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First Ridge Alira Prosecco 2024

2025-11-03T16:00:00.022+10:00

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

2025-11-03T06:30:00.001+10:00

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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Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2024

2025-11-02T15:40:00.020+10:00

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

2025-11-02T06:30:00.019+10:00

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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First Ridge Montepulciano 2023

2025-11-01T15:33:00.015+10:00

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

2025-11-01T07:00:00.014+10:00

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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Huntington Estate Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2023

2025-10-31T16:00:00.011+10:00

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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Castel Firmian Teroldego Rotaliano Superiore Riserva 2022

2025-10-31T08:00:00.024+10:00

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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De Bortoli One Line Sangiovese 2024

2025-10-30T15:30:00.020+10:00

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

2025-10-30T07:46:00.016+10:00

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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Harewood Estate Flux-VII White Blend 2023

2025-10-29T15:00:00.020+10:00

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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De Bortoli One Line Tempranillo 2024

2025-10-29T07:50:00.021+10:00

De Bortoli's One Line range is seeking to showcase the historic region of Rutherglen, with its diversity and potential.

Here this Tempranillo shows Blueberry, Plum, touch of baked earth. Mid-weight, with a rub of decent tannin on a length with some bright pop of flavour freshening things up.

Bit of warmth through the finish, the high - and sun-drenched - vineyards of Rutherglen showing their hand in this one. 90

Tasted on: Friday 24th October
Source: Sample
Price: $23.95
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.debortoli.com.au/

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Forrest Chardonnay 2023

2025-10-28T15:00:00.003+10:00

Exudes class, with fine French oak leading the way. Subtle citrus, delicate seasoning.

A suggestion of creaminess on the palate, more of the the oak framing up the middle. Slight butter popcorn, caramel. Fades to a gentle creaminess. 90

Tasted on: Tuesday 21st October
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample Courtesy of: Single Vineyard Sellers

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Reserve 2021

2025-10-28T07:46:00.003+10:00

Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Shiraz (21%),and Cabernet Franc (21%).

100% new French oak barriques for 14 months - it's majestic, and whilst that oak is certainly present it wears it well.

Cedar, oak, bay - perhaps a little greenness on first approach - look deeper, see some of that dense black fruit lurking beneath.

It's softer than one suspect from its 14.5%, an initial deftness to the fore-palate, before tannins and oak tannin weighs in: fine, minerally, mouth-coating with a magnificent spread both in palate volume, and length.

Structure personified. It's best is ahead of it, but it feels assured and displays its self-conviction now. 96

Tasted on: Saturday 23rd August
Source: Sample
Price: $90
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Domaine Galuval Le Coq Volant Côtes du Rhone Villages 2022

2025-10-27T13:06:00.004+10:00

Sun-kissed warmth of the Southern Rhone on red-black fruit. Add in a touch of oak in support and you've a generous introduction to a well packaged CdR.

Palate has an edge of bitterness, black tea, firmish tannins. This rolls well with proteins - lapping up those tannins, and elevates it beyond the entry-level for the style - drinks more like a mid-tier Southern Rhone. 91

Tasted on: Friday 17th October
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Cork
Sample courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Tapanappa Foggy Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024

2025-10-22T07:40:00.002+10:00

Citrus oil, satsuma plum, hibiscus - the former is something I've seen previously in renditions of this wine, it's not something that one might necessarily expect in a maritime influenced Pinot Noir, but I stand by my convictions.

The body belies its modest 12.7% alcohol, with fine graphite tannins and a flint-like edge giving substance. It's savoury, with a subtle mushroom - and building to a forest floor presence - with what might be a little liquid smoke. Another fine representation from this impressive vineyard. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 19th October

Source: Sample
Price: $60
Alcohol: 12.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: tapanappa.com.au

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