To bring a bit of sparkle admist this string of long weekends, we're dipping into something we generally only reserve for the festive season - a Saturday Champagne tasting! It's that time of year where the days are getting shorter and the longer-sleeved warm attire gets prime closet position, so why, you may ask, would we not go for something a little more winter-warming? The decision was not so much flippant as it was motivated by our desire to showcase some of the region's most talented producers (some of which you might never have come across before), and their unique releases that prioritise full-bodied lower dosage power over a more delicate floral approach. We really think we've got something for you all to savour with these picks...
Join us 12 to 2pm this Saturday (26th April), and see us pop these ten fantastic expressions, ranging from Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Rosé, a well-valued Cremant de Bourgogne sparkling, and even the iconic fortified 'Ratafia' from Champagne Geoffroy to finish with something sweet. It promises to be a brilliant couple hours of bubble-filled fun.
All bottles and specials listed below!
A Journey Through Champagne -
Specials & Tasting
Saturday 26th April (12 to 2pm)
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Champagne Margaine Le Brut NV -
$89 on special this week; $99 RRP
// 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir
Base vintage 2021, disgorged March 2024
"In the glass, it pours a bright silver straw color and reveals a clean and focused nose, with refreshing aromas of bread dough, fresh pear, attractive citrus, and peach blossom. It's approachable and easy-drinking, with a refreshing and fully dry feel, a fine mousse, and a crispy, fresh finish. Drink over the next several years." - Jeb Dunnuck
Chartogne-Taillet Cuvée Sainte Anne Brut NV -
$105 on special this week; $119 RRP
// 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier
Base vintage 2021, disgorged April 2024
"The Sainte Anne cuvée is the sensory translation of wines from the different soils of the village of Merfy. Each of the village's plots contributes part of its identity to "create" this cuvée. Often initially opulent on the palate, the salts from the sands then give rise to a salivating bitterness. The finish leaves a tight structure that recalls the origin of Champagne wines. Once the aging of wines from each plot has been completed, we combine these different reflections of the village to create a blend that aims to be fully representative of Merfy's wines." - House Notes
"Beautiful whiffs of lemon curd, dried apple, cinnamon, sea spray, fino sherry, lime and brioche with light honeyed characters. Quite a bit of concentration, very briny and minerally at its core, lots more dried apple and lemon curd with licks of that fino sherry in the mix too. Creamy texture cut with crisp bubble, ticklish and energetic and long-lasting. Richness inherent. Complex and charismatic Champagne." - 94 Points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
Gamet Brut Rosé NV -
$109 on special this week; $125 RRP
// 85% Pinot Meunier and 15% Pinot Noir (incl. 30% reserve wine)
Base year 2020
5 months aging on lees (6g/L dosage)
"This champagne is an assemblage of parcels, including Bas-Bauchets, Russelets-mal-tournés, La Fontaine du Curé, Margaines, Sente-Chatillon, Petites Loges, Chenillonnes, Vieilleries, Cerisière, and Clos des Goulots. It was spontaneously fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. 8% of still Pinot Noir wine was added. It underwent malolactic fermentation in stainless and aged there for 5 months. The wine was left on lees for at least 20 months before tirage. Expect smoothness and creaminess from extended time on lees and aging, and especially a wicked bite from zesty citrus notes, a sherbert tang, and crackling acidity racing across the palate. A real Champagne drinkers' Champagne." - Notes from the Estate
"The NV Brut Rosé is a powerful, vinous Champagne. There's certainly a ton to like. Bright red cherry fruit, chalk, mint, white pepper and orange peel fill out its layers, lifted by bright acids that wrap it all together. This Meunier-driven Rosé is particularly impressive in the 2020 base edition." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Etienne Calsac L'échappée Belle Blanc de Blancs NV -
$115 on special this week; $129 RRP
// 100% Chardonnay
2021 base vintage
Aged 18-24 months on lees
"Light to mid-yellow colour with a toasty, nutty bouquet reflecting age on lees, a hint of parsnip, celery and lemon-citrusy chardonnay notes. The palate is powerful: quite full-bodied and firm with structure and persistence. Lively acidity gives a tang along the sides of the tongue. Very smart wine and a new discovery for me." - 92 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée NV -
$125 on special this week; $140 RRP
// Pinot Noir 45%, Chardonnay 33% and Pinot Meunier 22%
Disgorged September 2022 (aged 3 years on lees)
Dosage - 5.5 g/L
"Paillard’s NV Extra-Brut Première Cuvée expresses an elegant and fresh bouquet with aromas of citrus oil, lemon, spring flowers, pomelo and pastry touches. Medium to full-bodied, crystalline and vibrant, it’s complemented by a delicate mousse and chalky finish. Enjoy it over the next three years." - 92+ Points, Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
"The NV Extra Brut Première Cuvée is bright, aromatic and nicely lifted. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper, slate and citrus fruit are all beautifully delineated. Brisk acids pull it all together on the close. This airy, nuanced Champagne from Bruno Paillard is a delight." - 92 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Julien Prelat 'Les Reines' Blanc de Blancs 2018 -
$138 on special this week; $155 RRP
Disgorged March 2022 (aged 3 years on lees)
Lower than 3g/L dosage
"This Champagne elaborated from 100% Chardonnay is beautifully pale yellow-colored, with golden hints. Many trails of fines bubbles play with the light. The nose is complex fine and elegant. Notes of orange, white fruits with nuances of vanilla and sweet spices greet the taster. When airing, hints of buttered brioche bring complexity then evolve into menthol, peppered and balsamic notes. The mouth is silky and creamy. Bubbles lightly caress. We find white fruit hints, pear, which bring crunch mixed with ripe citrus and lightly toasted wood." - House Notes
Gaspard Brochet '333c' Brut Nature NV -
$138 on special this week; $155 RRP
// 45% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay and 10% Meunier
0g/L dosage
Disgorged Feb 2023
"A blend of all three grape varieties from the villages of Ecueil, Sacy and Villers aux Noeuds, covering the vintages 2017, 2018 and 2019. The front end is everything you expect it to be – oh so good, but in a slightly more classical style. It's fruity, gripping and rich, coming into its own as it glides down. There are loads of brambles and a glorious rustic element to it with hints of butte and this vertical mid to late. As it opens the intensity on the finish becomes brilliant. It builds so gushingly and delivers this lovely underripe note of blackcurrant with surprising depth. All the things you expect are there in the right place, and you sense this is just beginning. A stunning first NV from a truly exceptional producer." - Importer Notes
Champagne Jacquesson 'Cuvée 746' Extra Brut -
$160 on special this week; $185 RRP
// 57% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Noir and 21% Pinot Meunier
2018 vintage base
Disgorged Oct' 22 - dosage 2gr/L
"For the 2018 harvest in Aÿ, Dizy, Hautvillers (68%), Avize and Oiry (32%), the previous winter was exceptionally rainy, this was followed by a mild, stormy spring. The weather changed from June onwards, becoming fine and dry, resulting in a particularly early harvest: we started picking on 30 August and finished on 11 September. The vines were in perfect health and the harvest was abundant with an excellent degree of ripeness and moderate acidity. The resulting wines are particularly fine and elegant." – Notes from Jacquesson
"Based on the generous 2018 vintage, the 746 fills the glass with a pale pink nuclear explosion of fine bubbles forming columns of visible freshness. Perfumed and succulent with slightly oxidized notes of ripe red apple mixed in with lemon confit, rose water, chalk dust and hints of spice. The medium to full-bodied palate is plush with showy red fruit that shimmers amid a vibrant acid energy that brings loads of freshness to the long finish." - 95 Points, Sarah Mayo, The Wine Independent
and to finish...
Champagne Geoffroy Ratafia NV (Fortified) -
$99 on special this week; $110 RRP
"The great feature of this Ratafia resides in the fact that it produced respecting ancient methods, so as to retain the primary aromas. After aging for 8 months in oak barrels, where it becomes rounded and softened, this ne is muted with the juice of Pinot Noir or Meunier grapes. Consequently this perfect companion to aperitifs or desserts oers a note of sweetness and a palette of complex aromas and it is natural to surrender to its charms. Very lovely, slightly reddish, amber robe. A rich mouth, marked by the Pinot, cherry stones in alcohol, harmonious and balanced, freshness meets sweetness at the finish. This Ratafia is the ideal partner for creamy desserts: a crème brulée, a red fruit tiramisu, vanilla ice cream, a chocolate/cherry association, all served with a glass of ratafia will make you melt with pleasure." - House Notes
Also available & on tasting -
Lucie Thieblemont Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs NV -
$53 on special this week; $59 RRP
// 100% Pinot Noir
"Huge red fruit energy that jumps out of the glass. Raspberry, rhubarb, strawberry, fennel and mountain herbs. The palate is alive and focused with beautifully defined red fruits. This is seriously fine, exciting fizz." - French Wine Centre, Importer Notes
If you wish to buy any of these champagnes, please use the links above
Alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions.
// Special prices valid through until Thursday the 1st of May