It's one involved weekend on the horizon for the shop, with three tastings across Friday and Saturday!
Tomorrow (Friday 10th) sweeps in the wines of North-East Victoria's Eldorado Road, who source fruit from vineyards across Eldorado itself, Beechworth, Glenrowan and Rutherglen! We've always loved their bright easy-drinking approach, particularly with the more unique grape varietals such as Nero d'Avola, Fiano and their stunning expressions ofDurif. It'll make for a perfect end to the work week; we hope you can join us,wines will be pouring between 4:30 and 6:30pm!
From then, bring on a busy Saturday (11th), with our regular 12 to 2pm tasting highlighting an incredible row of Tuscan choices; from a crispy Bianco blend and bright red-fruited rosé, through to some entry-level Chianti/Sangiovese expressions, and of course, some big guns with two Chianti Classico Riservas (Brancaia and Felsina), plus a Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino from the legendary Fuligni! We'll even be pouring a refreshing Franciacorta sparkling before starting with such an intense lineup (not so much Tuscan, but we couldn't resist the opportunity!)
Right after that, the increasingly-acclaimed wines from Yarra Valley's Dappled will come together in full force, with a look at their powerful Syrah and Cabernet blend, and two duos of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (entry-level 'Appellation' label, and very limited single vineyards). Just to top it all off with something cool, we'll have some other limited bottles on pour that have arrived to us from the winery - a 2013 'Rasin Entire' Single Vineyard Chardonnay back-vintage. This one will be running from 2:30 to 4:30pm!
Eldorado Road - on Special & Tasting
Friday 10th October
4:30 to 6:30pm
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Quasimodo Nero d'Avola/Durif/Syrah 2023 - $26 on special ($29 RRP)
"Quasimodo is a unique Australian blend of Nero d’Avola, Shiraz and Durif sourced from the regions of Eldorado, Beechworth, Glenrowan and Rutherglen. It’s an amalgam of flavour and colour culminating in a complex rewarding wine. The composition of this blend changes vintage to vintage, with the pursuit being a consistent affable wine of layered complexity that resonates as ‘Quasimodo’ each year. The 2023 sits in its usual medium-bodied spectrum, with plenty of bright fruit, a lifted floral bouquet and fine chalky tannins." - Winemaker Notes
Dreamfields Fiano 2022 - $26 on special ($29 RRP)
"Pressed to seasoned French oak, wild-yeast fermentation, 10 months' maturation in oak on lees. Interesting to note that winemaker Paul Dahlenburg feels his understanding of the fiano grape is growing. It shows in 2022 with stunning flavour intensity and textural composition. In possession of both strength in poise, it launches into an arresting scent of pear, baked apple, peach, melon and almond meal. Runs long, smooth and concentrated against a mealy, lightly savoury background. That's a wow!" - 96 points, Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion
Comrade Nero d'Avola 2018 - $33 on special ($37 RRP)
"Bright, youthful purple/red colour. The bouquet is rich and deep and brooding. Black plums and subtle spices, rich and smooth and ripe. Velvety palate texture, rich and fleshy, soft tannins melded seamlessly into the flavour. A superb wine." - 95 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
Alpine Chardonnay 2023 - $33 on special ($37 RRP)
"The expressive and finely tuned 2023 Chardonnay Alpine is well pitched with elegant aromas of melon sorbet and grapefruit and a subtle lining of flinty complexity. It is a lighter style, well executed and based around a core of acidity. This delivers ample energy and length." - 92 Points, Angus Hughson, Vinous
Onyx Durif 2019 - $33 on special ($37 RRP)
"Durif re-imagined, courtesy of cool-climate elegance (Beechworth) mixed with a dose of generosity (Rutherglen) that needs to be tasted by every drinker who was ever scared witless by the grape. This is not scary, rather it's brilliantly delivered as a serious wine of some beauty: aromatic, blueberry, plum, dark chocolate and spice all lifted, fresh and plush. Bravo." - 96 Points, Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion
Tuscany - Specials & Tasting
Saturday 11th October
12 to 2pm
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Podere 414 'Flower Power' Rosato 2023 -
$30 on special this week; $35 RRP
// 100% organic Sangiovese grapes
"The vinification is made with the “soft pressure” method, without maceration on the skins, this method gives the particular “pinky tones” to our rosè. On the nose, this rosé is characterized by first notes of floral aromas, in the mouth it is easy to drink and pleasant. This wine finds its natural habitat on the edge of a swimming pool or on the background of a barbecue with friends." - Winemaker Notes
Tenuta La Chiusa Bianco 2023 -
$35 on special this week; $39 RRP
// Blend of Trebbiano, Ansonica, and Malvasia grapes
"Cultivated in granitic soils that lend the wine a pronounced minerality, the proximity to the Mediterranean Sea influences the climate, enriching the wine’s aromatic profile with delicate saline nuances. The wine presents an elegant, bright straw-yellow color, typical of Elban whites. On the nose, it offers a floral bouquet of white flowers, enhanced by notes of peach and citrus that evoke the freshness of spring. On the palate, it is lively and fresh, with a pleasant acidity that balances its structure. Perfect as an aperitif, it pairs beautifully with light appetizers, seafood dishes, and highlights the best of Mediterranean cuisine." - Winemaker Notes
San Giusto a Rentennano Fuori Misuri Rosato 2024 -
$38 on special this week; $43 RRP
"The 2024 Rosato Toscana Fuori Misura is a pretty rich wine, as it always is, but it’s a bit on the lighter side in this vintage. Cranberry, mint, white pepper and a kick of citrus peel lend energy. The Fuori Misura is a blend of two-thirds saignée from the other wines and one-third Sangiovese picked early and vinified off the skins. Vinification and aging in tank keep the flavors bright." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Monte Antico Sangiovese Toscana 2020 -
$26 on special this week; $29 RRP
// 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot
"This is fresh and crunchy, with a medium body and a polished, chocolatey mouthfeel. Notes of spiced cherries, spices and dried citrus peel, with fine tannins and a flavorful finish." - 91 Points, James Suckling
Poggerino Chianti Classico 2022 -
$55 on special this week; $62 RRP
"Once again, Poggerino’s Piero Lanza puts out one of the most successful annata of the vintage thus far. His 11 hectares in Radda sit mainly on Galestro soil with an underpinning of clay rather than sand, giving seriously structured wines. Dense fruit and spice greet the nose, with glossy dark red cherry, mint and cinnamon following through on the palate. Impressive substance is backed up by chewy, layered tannins, gracious rather than austere, dissolving slowly into the crunchy currants that draw out the finish. Vibrant and impressive." - 92 Points, Michaela Morris, Decanter
Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021 -
$79 on special this week; $92 RRP
// 85% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, Colorino and Mammolo
"The 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a total pleasure to the senses, with a perfumed bouquet of wilted violet and lavender tones, a dusting of spices and dried strawberry scents. This is cool-toned and fresh, with pretty wild berry fruits and crunchy mineral notes elevated by a tinge of sour citrus. Giving yet long and gently tannic, this finishes with a resonance of blackberry and hints of spice. The 2021 is delicate yet impactful." - 92 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous
Brancaia Chianti Classico Riserva 2021 -
$92 on special this week; $105 RRP
"The nose is headlined by tart and sweet blackberries, but also has the density of dark chocolate and espresso bean and the freshness of fennel. A cool palate balances blackberries and earth against salt and pepper, while tense, poised tannins create a sophisticated feel. Happily, this Riserva has clearly been given careful attention even as Gran Selezione tends to steal the focus now." - 94 Points, Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast
Fuligni Ginestreto Rosso di Montalcino 2022 -
$105 on special this week; $120 RRP
"The 2022 Rosso di Montalcino Ginestreto is gorgeous and classic to the house style, with a cascade of dried black cherries, rose petals, cloves and spice, all complicated by hints of flowery undergrowth. It's silken and serene with ripe wild berry fruits and juicy acidity balanced by tactile mineral tones throughout. This finishes staining, long and spicy, yet leaves the mouth watering for more as traces of licorice and clove taper off. Wow." - 93 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous
Felsina Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 'Rancia' 2021 -
$165 on special this week; $185 RRP
"The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rancia is the first vintage in which Rancia moves from Riserva to Gran Selezione. More importantly, Fèlsina appears to be back on track after two years, during which Rancia underperformed because of the inclusion of a parcel that did not work in the blend and contributed a slight vegetal character. The 2021 marries power and finesse in the way only Rancia can. Black cherry, leather, game, spice, licorice, tobacco and grilled herbs are all finely knit in a brooding yet elegant Gran Selezione that delivers the goods. Superb." - 95+ Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2020 -
$255 on special this week; $295 RRP
"Rich and exuberant in the glass, the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino bursts with autumnal spices, crushed raspberries, shaved cedar and dusty rose. It impresses further with a core of ripe red berry fruits that saturate deeply, displaying a pleasant inner sweetness offset by a salty core of minerality. The 2020 leaves the palate drenched in primary concentration with a tart cranberry, licorice resonance and grippy tannins, all while maintaining a remarkably fresh persona. The 2020 has a large-scale feel with expertly maintained balance." - 95 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous
"Seductive and sensual, this beauty exudes pressed dark flowers and all-encompassing Asian five-spice. Chestnut and bitter roots inject a countering element to the sweet, glossy fruit that expands across the palate. Long, chalky tannins wrap around the red cherry core, building with density, and steely acidity cleanses the mouth." - 95 Points, Michaela Morris, Decanter
For a refreshing sparkling before the wines, we'll also be pouring...
Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige NV (Edition 47) -
$96 on special this week; $109 RRP
// Chardonnay 75%, Pinot Blanc 2.5% and Pinot Noir 22.5%
"The base wines that go into Cuvée Prestige are the fruit of accurate cluster selection and expert vinification, carried out in line with the Ca’ del Bosco Method. The grapes are hand-picked and placed in small crates, graded and chilled. Every bunch is selected by trained eyes and hands, just before they go through our exclusive “berry spa”, a special whirlpool-like wash for grape bunches, consisting of three soaking tanks, followed by thorough drying in a special tunnel. The wines take seven months to settle, mature and express the very best characteristics of their vineyards of origin. Only after aging on the lees for at least 2 years will this Franciacorta express all its richness and identity. Disgorgement is carried out in an oxygen-free environment, using a proprietary process designed and patented by Ca’ del Bosco. This procedure prevents oxidative shocks and makes it unnecessary to add sulfites, making our Franciacortas purer, more appealing and longer lived." - Winemaker Notes
Dappled Wines - Specials & Tasting
Saturday 11th October
4:30 to 6:30pm
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'Tradition' Yarra Valley Cabernet Blend 2024 -
$37 on special this week; $42 RRP
// 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Cabernet Franc
"Blueberry, blackberry, a little grassy, but also perfumed with floral things, along with tobacco and black olive. It’s medium-bodied, crisp and black fruited, something of a tomato and olive tang to it, grainy tannin grip is firm but sure, and the finish is saline, savoury and loaded with black olive and dried herb. Perhaps a little tangy, but very nice and certainly worthy of a little time in the cellar to show its best." - 93 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
'Appellation' Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2024 -
$39 on special this week; $45 RRP
"White peach, toasted hazelnuts, a light smoky struck match, lemon oil, mint and chamomile. It’s savoury and saline, quite umami in flavour, pink grapefruit tang, a firm chalky grip to texture, lemon zest and green olive on a finish of quite some zip and length. Complex. Tightly-coiled. Likely better again in a year or two. Excellent." - 94+ Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
'Appellation' Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2024 -
$39 on special this week; $45 RRP
"Here’s a lighter, spicier style of Pinot Noir. Raspberry, strawberry, a little earthiness and subtle smoked paprika. It’s fresh, a cranberry, maybe even tamarind tang to it, a red cherry juiciness tempered with dried herb, light dusty tannin, and a sappy, spicy red fruited finish of fine length, some blood orange tartness in the aftertaste. I particularly like the baby’s grip of tannin on exit. Delicate, frisky even, and such a pleasing wine to drink." - 94 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
'Fin de la Terre' Yarra Valley Syrah 2024 -
$40 on special this week; $46 RRP
"Sourced from the Peirce Family vineyard in Steels Creek at the base of the Kinglake range. It’s a warm site with hungry mudstone and shale soils with a granitic bedrock base and some scattered quartz. The vines are own rooted and planted in 1990 - so now 34 years old! Tiny crops resulted an intensely concentrated wine that is deep ruby/purple in colour. Think blackberries, plum and clove, hints of thyme and bay leaf – with black olive making an appearance. The palate is round and plush with a super core of black fruits with herbal characters giving great length and line." - Winemaker Notes
'Les Vergers' Single Vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2024 -
$49 on special this week; $56 RRP
"Sourced from John and Josie D’Aloisio’s vineyard located high up on the hill above the township of Seville. The I10V1 clone Chardonnay was planted in 1991 on its own roots (non-grafted) and is grown on the stunningly rich red volcanic soils this subregion of the Yarra Valley is famous for. The oak is a combination of old (70%) and new (30%) French barriques and puncheons. A richer aromatic profile than the 23’, yellow stone fruit aromas dominate with custard brioche and spice, along with some hints of butted toast and flint. The palate is singing - rich and fresh all at once – and the texture and fruit concentration (peach, apple pie) make it super round in the mouth. There is also the tell-tale grapefruit acidity that freshens and drives the palate to a clean and flavoursome finish." - Winemaker Notes
'Champs de Cerises' Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024 -
$49 on special this week; $56 RRP
"Red cherry, strawberry, spice, mint and amaro, dried roses, blonde tobacco, a slight praline richness too. It’s medium-bodied at most, spicy, a little sappy, strawberry and milk chocolate, a gentle grip of fine dusty tannin, a subtle Campari tang, with a cool and fine finish of excellent length. Such a pleasing wine for its spice and juicy red-fruited zip. Lovely from start to finish." - 95 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
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 16th of October