We have another great double-dip of tastings for you all to sink your teeth (and thirsty palates) into this weekend!
First off the mark will be the consistently-great wines from the folks at Hentley Farm in the Barossa Valley; this will include the fan-favourite Villain & Vixen Shiraz, their refreshing expression of sparkling, a juicy blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Zinfandel, their Beauty/Beast Shiraz duo, as well as a crisp dry Riesling grown over in the Eden Valley! This will run from 4:30 to 6:30pm this Friday (25th) evening.
Then on Saturday, things once again take a bubbly turn as we welcome some of the most iconic drops from Champagne, Pol Roger! There will be plenty to love and fawn over, including the famous Sir Winston Churchill Cuvée. This will run at our usual 12 to 2pm this Saturday (26th) afternoon!
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Hentley Farm - Tasting Lineup
(Friday 25th November from 4:30 to 6:30pm)
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2021 Villain & Vixen Shiraz - $20 on special ; $23 RRP
2021 Eden Valley Riesling - $22 on special ; $25 RRP
2022 Blanc de Noirs Sparkling - $29 on special ; $34 RRP
2020 The Stray Grenache Shiraz Zinfandel - $32 on special ; $36 RRP
2020 The Beauty Shiraz - $60 on special ; $69 RRP
2020 The Beast Shiraz - $96 on special ; $109 RRP
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Pol Roger - Tasting Lineup
(Saturday 26th November from 12 to 2pm)
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NV Pol Roger Brut Reserve - $89 per bottle ; $95 RRP
"Pol Roger Brut Réserve diplays a beautiful golden straw coloured hue, as well as abundant and fine bubbles. With a powerful and attractive nose, it first delivers aromas of fruit (pear, mango ...) and then releases light flavours of honeysuckle and white jasmine, lingering on vanilla and brioche notes. Behind a frank and dynamic attack, the wine encompasses a nice harmony and a pleasant freshness, whilst preserving some structure. On the palate, flavours of cooked fruit (quince jelly, apricot jam) happily mingle with fragrances of beeswax and acacia honey. The long-lasting aromas, composed of both fruity (candied orange peel, tangerine...) and spicy notes (cardamom, anis) is outstanding." - Producer Notes
"One of my favourite champagne houses. This entry point has one-third each of pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay from 30 crus, 25% reserve wines, spending 4 years on tirage. It has a flowery bouquet, terrific mouthfeel thanks to a hint of honey, and Meyer lemon cleansing the finish and aftertaste." - 95 Points, James Halliday
Pol Roger Brut Champagne 2015 - $139 per bottle ; $155 RRP
"Pol Roger's 2015 Brut Vintage is generous and demonstrative, bursting with aromas of golden orchard fruit, nectarine, warm bread, buttered popcorn and orange oil. Full-bodied, broad and vinous, it's rich and fleshy, with a sweet, layered core of fruit, racy acids and a pretty pinpoint mousse. Stylistically, the 2015 has more in common with the richness and concentration of 2012 than the chiseled raciness of 2013. It's a beautiful bottle in the making." - 94 Points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Pol Roger Brut Rosé 2015 - $165 per bottle ; $185 RRP
"The wine is salmon-pink in colour with tints of orange, set off by fine bubbles. Its initial nose offers a good aromatic expression dominated by red fruit, such as cherry and raspberry, along with rose petals, all leading to a beautiful freshness. As it warms, notes of candied cherries and candy bring complexity to the ensemble. The palate is in balance with the nose - both of equal intensity and richness. The wine is fresh on entry to the palate with citrus notes of blood orange, then shows itself to be generous and enveloping as it reveals its red fruit aromas. With a perfectly balanced palate, it offers good length. This vintage's character is supported by power and vinosity." - Producer Notes
"This rich Champagne highlights ripe Pinot Noir that glories in its red fruits and structure. Just ready to drink, the wine has intensity and well-textured acidity at the end. Drink now." - 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs 2013 - $165 per bottle ; $185 RRP
"This cuvée is immediately captivating in the glass, with an enticing pale golden colour and persistent thread of fine bubbles. On the nose there are notes of buttery pastry, meringue and white flowers, underpinned by a zesty freshness. On the palate, the cuvée is mouth-filling and opulent yet restrained. Complex aromas of citrus fruit and brioche balance beautifully. The finish is impressive and seductive with notes of dried peach and hazelnut." - Producer Notes
"Pol Roger's newly released 2013 Brut Blanc de Blancs is very appealing, unwinding in the glass with scents of crisp orchard fruit, citrus zest, sourdough bread, pastry cream and almonds. Medium to full-bodied, taut and incisive, it's more chiseled than the richer, more concentrated 2012, with racy acids and a gently reductive edge, concluding with chalky grip. This is a real classic in style and should develop beautifully with age on cork." - 93 Points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2013 - $415 per bottle ; $455 RRP
"Churchill drank Pol Roger – lots of it. Its cépage has never been released but it is believed to be over 60 per cent pinot noir. 2013 was a good vintage, the acidity a highlight. Here it has been the foundation of the freshness and imperious length of a very great champagne, second only to the 2008. Drink to 2030." - 99 Points, James Halliday
"The 2013 Brut Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is fabulous. Rich and remarkably pure, the 2013 is super- expressive right out of the gate. Bright saline notes cut through a core of lemon confit, dried flowers, apricot, tangerine peel, mint and sage. As compelling as the 2013 is, it really needs more time to open a bit. There is a feeling of transparency here that is so alluring. The 2013 is a terrific example of power with no excess weight in Champagne. I loved it." - 97 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"Complex and subtle aromas of dried ginger, pie crust, cooked apple and cooked peach follow through to a full body with ginseng, toasted bread and dried apple. Very fine and multidimensional. Great wine. Drink now." - 97 Points, JamesSuckling.com
To purchase any of the bottles in today's newsletter, please use the links above, otherwise you can phone us on (07) 3252 1117, or email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au - Prices valid until stock runs out or until Wednesday the 30th of November