We see out October in style with two heavy hitters - a classy row of whisky to ease any work week woes on Friday evening, and a beloved Barossa name in line for Halloween on Saturday (perhaps not so much spooky as they are beautifully brooding!)
If you ask any number of our staff what our go-to single malt choices are when looking for a smooth sense of purity and precision, the chances run high that Japan will get a few mentions. One of the historic giants of the country's long history of fine whisky distilling, Nikka always hit that eternal balance between peaty intensity and more mellow honeyed oaky permanence. We have four of their bottles pouring between 4 and 7pm tomorrow (Friday 30th), which we'll be appropriately pairing with some tonics from Strangelove, where necessary! Come join a memorable malty excursion of this Japanese icon.
Saturday (31st) then brings a row of bright beauties and black-fruited beasts to the table, with Hentley Farm in the limelight between 12 and 2pm! Their two sparklings have become two of our very highest selling Aussie bubble options, the Blanc de Noirs an addictive blend of Grenache and Pinot Noir, and the Blanc de Blancs holding higher-toned Chardonnay of crispy melon, apple and nashi pear. The fresh Eden Valley Riesling also impresses, having just been awarded Best 2026 Riesling at the Barossa Wine Show. These three will be the perfect prelude, before we descend into the distinctive power and endless length shown in their Beauty, Beast and Clos Otto Shiraz. Elsewhere, the Old Legend Grenache is a pretty and highly perfumed expression of the varietal, and the Cabernet from the banks of Greenock Creek, Seppeltsfield is filled with dark minerality, clove and cassis. All options on special for the coming week, with the Clos Otto (of limited availability) able to be pre-ordered via email!
Nikka Days Blended Whisky (700ml)
$89 on special this week ($96 RRP)
"Nikka Days has been developed for whisky lovers who appreciate fine drinks on any casual day, based on the concept 'whisky for every day'. Its round bottle and bright colored label visualize the taste profile of the whisky inside and enhance a vibrant mood. A delicate balance is achieved by the skillful blending of mellow grain whiskies and slightly peated malts. With impressive floral aromas, this expression offers an extremely silky mouthfeel and fruity flavors that rise and expand, leaving behind a delightful aftertaste. This whisky can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, in a simple highball or refreshing cocktail." - Distiller Notes
Nikka from the Barrel (500ml)
$92 on special this week ($99 RRP)
"We carefully blend many batches of matured whiskies and return them to casks for a few months. This ‘marriage’ technique allows different batches to deepen together as one, producing a mellow harmony on the palate while retaining a potent, high-alcohol whisky aroma on the nose. From The Barrel is a meticulous blend of over a hundred malt and grain whiskies, primarily malt whiskies from Nikka’s two distilleries in Japan and signature Coffey grain whiskies. Married to create a whisky that is both rich and mellow, it reveals—after a brief pause—an elegant aroma and deep complexity, with a pleasantly stimulating kick." - Distiller Notes
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky (700ml)
$145 on special this week ($155 RRP)
"Traditional Coffey stills are not easy to operate and not efficient to obtain spirits. However, they retain flavors originating from ingredients and deliver a distinctive creamy texture. This is a signature grain whisky which was released in 2012. Predominantly made from corn, whisky distilled in a Coffey still is matured in old casks such as re-filled, remade and re-charred casks originally made from American oak to deliver the sweet and mellow flavors of Coffey distillates." - Distiller Notes
Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt Whisky (700ml)
$165 on special this week ($179 RRP)
"Using steam maintained at around 130°C, the spirit is distilled slowly, giving it a smooth and gentle profile. With an ascending lyne arm and the rounded form of bulge pot stills, vapour and flavour compounds circulate within, gradually refining aroma and taste. Floral aromas unique to indirect steam distillation, and a soft, fruity sweetness that unfolds on the palate. The unyielding passion of Masataka Taketsuru, the crisp air of the valley, and a finely honed distillation-together, they form a singular expression." - Distiller Notes
Villain & Vixen Shiraz 2024
Available for $25
"Beyond the single vineyard estates, Hentley Farm produce a portfolio of modern wines sourced from select vineyards across the Barossa including a range of wines under the Villain & Vixen label. As villains against convention we favour vixen like elegance, textural wines with enhanced vibrancy of fruit and varietal characteristics. Profile of plum, blackberry, liquorice stick, vanilla Bean. Soft even tannins with vibrant, balanced fruit." - Winemaker Notes
Villain & Vixen Blanc de Blancs 2023
Available for $25
"This elegant, aromatic, sparkling white balances perfumed fruit with crisp, fine acidity. Aromas of grapefruit, green apple and nashi pear. Aroma carries through to the palate, complemented by honeydew melon & macadamia shortbread. Fine, persistent bead. Well-balanced; perfumed sweetness & crisp acidity." - Winemaker Notes
Eden Valley Riesling 2026
$25 on special this week ($28 RRP)
// 2026 BAROSSA WINE SHOW -
Awarded Best 2026 Riesling & Best 2026 Eden Valley Riesling
stride from our Seppeltsfield Estate, the Barossa Collection captures the Hentley Farm ethos. Selected sites that produce vibrant fruit, naturally expressive of their varietal characteristics, enhanced by terroir influence, are sourced to craft wines of elegance. We believe that Eden Valley produces Riesling equal to any across the globe. Our winemaker, Andrew Quin, has selected five blocks of high-altitude Eden Valley Riesling with the ideal attributes to enjoy now as a crisp aromatic white, or to age and allow its brilliance to shine through." - Winemaker Notes
Blanc de Noirs 2026
$30 on special this week ($35 RRP)
// 52% Grenache and 48% Pinot Noir
"Our sparkling white wine from red fruit combines pretty aromatics with a crisp, clean palate and a refreshing finish that leaves you wanting another sip. Aromas of strawberry, green apple and roasted almond. The palate is clean and crisp with perfect acid and sweetness balance." - Winemaker Notes
Cabernet Sauvignon 2025
$33 on special this week ($37 RRP)
"Set among the rolling hills on the banks of Greenock Creek at Seppeltsfield, Hentley Farm founder Keith Hentschke went against the grain when selecting three hillside sites to plant Cabernet, and the risk has paid off. All with an Easterly aspect and minimal topsoil, the vineyard produces bright fruit for this varietal, aromatic and delicately balanced; distinctive of the estate. Aromas of plum, cassis, blackberry, red earth and dark mineral notes. The mouth shows a fresh & vibrant texture." - Winemaker Notes
'The Beauty' Shiraz 2024
$69 on special this week ($78 RRP)
"Super-deep magenta/crimson with pure macerated plum, blackberry and blueberry fruits, underlying hints of baking spices, sage, citrus blossom, dark chocolate, licorice, panforte, blueberry pie and earth. Full bodied with a velvety travel across the palate, incredibly pure blue and black fruits, the tight, powdery, ferrous-edged tannins and a bright acidity pushing everything along beautifully. Super-impressive release this." - 95 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
"This Barossa Valley Shiraz from the excellent 2024 vintage came from a site on the eastern bank of Greenock Creek. It was co-fermented with a dollop (3%) of Viognier, with 1/3rd of the wine fermented, off skins, in oak. Deep blood red with a garnet edge, the nose exhibits notes of strawberries, dark cherries, black fruits and warm earth. There is good intensity throughout, and the structure is seamless through to a long, lingering finish, with sleek tannins. The wine offers a degree of refinement, not always evident in Barossa Shiraz. Enjoy it over the next twenty years. There really is so much to like here." - 95 Points, Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
'Old Legend' Grenache 2024
$69 on special this week ($78 RRP)
"The Old Legend celebrates Barossa Grenache, a variety that has shaped the region’s vineyards and winemaking history for more than 150 years. Vibrant in colour and lifted with perfumed aromatics, The Old Legend brings together elegance, complexity and finely layered texture. Pure, poised and beautifully balanced, it is a compelling expression of Barossa Grenache." - Winemaker Notes
"A wonderful grenache here, picked earlier, with whole bunch from the E block and 25% whole bunch from C block above the dam. Very perfumed and fragrant with doris plum, mulberry, raspberry and blueberry fruit notes. Cut with ginger spice, Turkish delight, rose petals, cola, dried citrus rind and earth. Savoury and graceful on the palate, with compact yet powdery tannins and a bright, vivid finish that shows plenty of precision and tension." - 94 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
'The Beast' Shiraz 2023
$99 on special this week ($112 RRP)
"Extraordinarily deep, saturated, bright and glass-staining purple colour, amazing at two-plus years of age, and the aromas are similarly intense and bright, concentrated red and darker fruits with a subtle lacing of mocha and vanilla from well-judged oak maturation. A very full bodied shiraz with lashings of tannin and extract, superbly harmonious acidity helping keep it fresh and vibrant. An elephant in a tutu. A luxuriuous red wine and a great example of full-throttle Western Barossa shiraz." - 96 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
"The characteristic bulky muscle and bombastic drive of this big wine is subdued in this vintage, without surrendering its formidable big Shiraz stature. Yes, it’s still full-bodied, with sweet ripe blackberry and plum filling the nose, but the frame is more supple, the fruit profile more rounded and the ride through the long palate significantly more enjoyable as a consequence. Tight tannins and firm oak peek out at the end, which shows that this remains a long-term cellaring preference." - 94 Points, David Sly, Decanter
'Clos Otto' Shiraz 2023
Pre-order special for $275 ($309 RRP)
(Limited availability)
“Very bright, deep, dense, glass staining purple colour; charred caramellised wood and graphite, smoked charcuterie and cocoa nibs on the nose; the palate dense and super-packed with flavour and ultra-ripe fruit. Some spicy/herbal characters. The tannins are biting and gritty with a hint of pleasantly cleansing bitterness and balanced grip. A massive wine but it's all in proportion, and will richly reward long keeping." - 97 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
Deep crimson. Wax polish, dark chocolate, dark cherry, spice aromas with espresso, marzipan notes. Voluminous and smooth with concentrated dark cherry, blackcurrant fruits, roasted almond, chestnut notes, fine grained/chocolaty textures and well-balanced line of acidity. Builds up chalky firm with richly flavoured dark berry fruits and wax polish notes. Elegantly powerful. Quintessentially Barossa.” - 97 Points, Andrew Caillard MW and Jeni Port, The Vintage Journal
(If interested in pre-ordering, please email sales@thewineemporium.com.au)
If you wish to purchase/order any of these wines, please use the links above
Otherwise, if you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au
// Special prices valid until Thursday the 5th of November