Another weekend approaches, and with this cold snap that appears to have settled in, we think we've got two tastings that'll suit just perfectly...
Come by Friday (6th June) afternoon anytime between 4 and 7pm, as winemaker and owner Brett Hayes from Hayes Family Wines will man the tasting table with a row of Barossa-grown reds like his Grenache, GSM, Cabernet, Stone Well & Block 1 Shiraz (both organic), as well as a crispy young Semillon and Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir sparkling) from fruit in the Adelaide Hills. We've long been fans of Brett's style; a truly skilled winemaker, always bringing vibrant richness and depth of flavour to his creations. They'll make for a perfect weekend warm-up!
Then come Saturday (7th), it's high time for a trip over to Spain, showing off a multitude of releases that encompass Cava, Albariño (Rias Baixas), Rioja, Toro, and finishing off suitably with a sherry (Jerez). We've noticed these shelves have been clearing out a bit faster lately, and there's no denying the marvelous influence the Iberian climate and unique aging methods imparts on these savoury and structured expressions. We hope you can pop by between 12 and 2pm, and take the journey with us.
Hayes Family Wines - on Special & Tasting
Friday 6th June (4 to 7pm)
What's on Show -
Blanc de Noirs Sparkling 2022 - $49 on special ($55 RRP)
Schulz Home Block Semillon 2024 - $25 on special ($28 RRP)
Sam's Grenache 2022 - $25 on special; ($28 RRP)
GSM 2023 - $25 on special ($28 RRP)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 - $34 on special ($38 RRP)
Stone Well Shiraz 2022 - $39 on special ($45 RRP)
Block 1 Shiraz 2023 - $62 on special ($69 RRP)
A Trip through Spain - Specials & Tasting
Saturday 7th June (12 to 2pm)
Juve & Camps Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava 2018 -
$35 on special this week; $39 RRP
"Such an elegant fizz, of unfussy complexity and great balance, juggling fleshy fruit, nutty depth and assertive acid with ease. Yellow apple and white peach at the core, with alluring fennel seed and rosemary on the edges. On the mid palate, almond croissant and candied lemon add weight and texture." - 92 Points, Ines Salpico, Decanter
Santiago Ruiz O Rosal Albariño 2023 -
$45 on special this week; $52 RRP
"The domaine's core vineyards lie at Tomiño in O Rosal—the most southerly of Rías Baixas’ five subzones. Situated on the top lip of the river Miño (which marks the border with Portugal), O Rosal enjoys more sunlight hours and a drier climate than Rías Baixas’ other subzones. The vineyards here also benefit from cooling Atlantic breezes as well as the moderating influence and airflow from the river. This set of natural circumstances favours a style of wine that is both ripe and mineral-laden, with granitic soils and cool Atlantic nights providing crisp energy and drive. With an unusually high percentage of Albariño this year, the 2023 weighs in at 82% Albariño, 9% Loureiro, with the balance from Treixadura, Caíño Blanco and a dash of Godello. There’s joyous cool stone fruit and fuzzy peach intensity over a backbone of Atlantic tension. This is a deliciously juicy release with textured mineral structure, a nip of kernel spice and granitic grip on the classy finish. Peachy keen." - Bibendum, Importer Notes
Bideona Tempranillo de Laderas Rioja 2021 -
$25 on special this week; $28 RRP
"Made from a high quality, low-yielding Tempranillo filed blend from hillside vines (laderas) on limestone soils. We decide the type and length of ageing individually for each vintage, using a combination of stainless steel, concrete, and used oak barriques and foudres for a total alternative ageing of 2-3 years. Pure and precise aromas of cherries, red berries and thyme. Medium bodied, with good length and weight on the palate, showing beautiful balance between the fresh acidity, fruit concentration, and firm but fine-grained tannins. A versatile, very satisfying drinking wine and a great example of cooler-climate Tempranillo from Rioja Alavesa." - Winemaker Notes
La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva 2020 -
$58 on special this week; $65 RRP
// 100% Tempranillo from vineyards in Rodezno and Labastoda, with an average vine age of 40 years
"A classical, typical Rioja Alta red with elegant notes of vanilla, coconut, smoked spices and strawberries. Refined and suave, with fine tannins and a long, creamy finish. Juicy and elegant. Really approachable now, but give it two more years to get more mushroom complexity." - 93 Points, James Suckling
Muga Rioja Reserva 2020 -
$67 on special this week; $76 RRP
"One of a dwindling number of top Riojas that combines grapes from the Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental sub-regions, this impressive Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. Aged in French and 15% American barrels, it’s a youthful, structured, intense red from a difficult year with toast, wood smoke, black cherry and blueberry fruit and lots of underlying structure. Enjoy now now through to 2032." - 93 Points, Tim Atkin MW, Rioja Special Report
Valenciso Rioja Reserva 2019 -
$69 on special this week; $79 RRP
"The latest in a fine run of Reservas from Luis Valentín and Carmen Enciso, this well-priced Tempranillo combines components from Briones, Gimileo, Haro, Ollauri, Rodezno and Villalba. Youthful, structured and vigorous, it's a compact, serious, age-worthy red that manages to sidestep the heat of the vintage. Inky and profound with dark plum and blackberry fruit and a balsamic undertone." - 94 Points, Tim Atkin MW, Rioja Special Report
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 2017 -
$92 on special this week; $105 RRP
"A more vibrant and fruitier expression of Ardanza this year with strawberries, mussels, warm spices and berries. Round and silky on the palate with lovely spices and a long, nicely saline finish. A nice touch of creaminess works really well here and further extends the finish." - 95 Points, James Suckling
"2017 was not an easy harvest, but it produced some beautiful and classical wines, like the 2017 Viña Ardanza Reserva, which shows a little more advancement and polish and is ready to drink. It's ripe and aromatic, tertiary, with 14.5% alcohol and mellow acidity, a medium-bodied palate and sleek tannins. It has a pungent note of clove and pepper, some licorice and ink and the cherries in liqueur from the Garnacha. An updated classical Ardanza." - 94 Points, Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Vega Sicilia 'Pintia' Toro 2019 -
$158 on special this week; $180 RRP
"From a very dry year when they did a softer vinification and used some 15% stainless steel for the élevage to keep the fruit and freshness. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and oak vats. It's a powerful year; the wine has 15% alcohol and is round and full-bodied. It's a heady and ripe Pintia. They had to be careful with the harvest date, and they harvested early and quite quickly. Even though the wine is ripe and heady, with notes of grenadine and small ripe berries, it's also exotic and spicy, quite showy, lush and full-bodied, with the 2019 tannins. It's a more powerful wine that is going to require patience." - 94 Points, Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
and to finish...
Valdespino El Candado Pedro Ximenez Sherry NV -
$45 on special this week; $52 RRP
"The NV Pedro Ximénez Sherry El Candado from Valdespino is a guilty pleasure. Heady on the nose, it offers entrancing aromas of kirsch, blood orange, fig jam and Medjool dates that don’t hold back. Likewise, the palate is viscous on the entry, intense and with seductive sweet fig and date notes, yet the acidity maintains balance and freshness. Wonderful." - 92 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous
If you wish to buy any of these wines, 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 until Thursday the 12th of June