Here we are at last - the week ahead will be one of many gifts, gatherings, toasts and well-earned joyful times for everyone! For the team here at the shop, though, none of that could come before a very big thank you from us to all of you for your tremendous support through 2024! Not only has December been a bubble-filled success every Saturday, but seeing faces both new and well-known throughout our whole year of tastings, specials and events has, as always, been our total privilege. Thank you!
So to bring a bit of extra spark to that lull between Christmas and New Year, we thought to go for one final tasting for the year this Saturday (28th December, from 12 to 2pm), where we'll show off our imported champagnes from Charles Benoit and Gaston Burtin! Both always represent incredible value, and will be also down on special until New Year's Day, just in case you need some great bubbles to pour without a second thought over these next few festive days. All the Burtin bottles here have arrived fresh from France just recently as well, with not only their Brut NV, but a generous Rosé NV, Blanc de Blancs from 2018 and Vintage Brut from 2014. Look below to see the thoughts from our very own Bernadette O'Shea on these beauties!
We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas in the midweek, and hope we might catch you in the store with a glass of champagne one last time come Saturday before the curtain draws to a close on 2024.
Charles Benoit & Gaston Burtin - Champagne Specials + Tasting
Saturday 28th December, from 12 to 2pm
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Charles Benoit Cuvée Reserve Brut NV - $44 on special this week; $49 RRP
"A lovely champagne with a good mouthfeel and fresh lively fruit. There is a layer of blueberries, greengage plums, grapefruit, Bosc pears, kumquats, and almonds in their skins. Beautiful lemon bread with edges of almond biscotti appear on the palate with some stewed apple, honey dew melon, flicks of quince, lemon marmalade and dried apricots. This is all surrounded by an edging of lemon curd and flicked with thyme and a sprinkle of walnut. This is excellent value for money and perfect for festive celebrations!" - Bernadette O'Shea, Champagne Consultant, TWE
Also Available & on Special -
Benoit Brut NV Magnum - $99 on special
Gaston Burtin Brut NV - $56 on special this week; $62 RRP
// 53% Meunier, 26% Chardonnay, and 21% Pinot Noir
Base year - 2019
8g/L dosage
"This is a delightful champagne from a House established in 1933. It has great structure and fruitiness with a round texture and lots of freshness. Composed of the 3 classic grapes (a unique Meunier dominance with this latest disgorgement), the supporting Pinot Noir reflects black and red berries, while the Chardonnay shines with ripe lemons, mandarins, apricots, hints of melon, pineapple and glazed fruits. A layer of fine pastry appears with French patisserie shining through the palate – and honeyed nuts making a statement in the mouth. All of this with spicy undertones and a splendid lingering finish. A most refreshing and delicious non-vintage champagne for the most amazing price! Try some – you will not be disappointed." - Bernadette O'Shea, Champagne Consultant, TWE
Also Available & on Special -
Burtin Brut NV Magnum (2016 base) - $120 on special
Burtin Brut NV Half Bottle 375ml - $40 on special
Gaston Burtin Rosé NV - $89 on special this week; $99 RRP
// 64% Pinot Meunier, 18% Chardonnay, 18% Pinot Noir
Base vintage - 2019
Dosage - 8g/L (Aged for 3 years minimum)
"This is a delightful champagne with copper-pink hues and a nose of pale pink sweet peas and azaleas. It has a moderately weighted palate, is well-balanced and very fresh. The palate shows wonderful raspberries, crushed strawberries, pink grapefruit and an intense layer of French patisserie. This is followed by a lift of spiciness, flaked almonds, pistachio nuts, interspersed with pomegranate seeds. Some tiny apples appear which are covered with a layer of finest toffee, and this generates structural notes, lifted by a raspberry zing. A very beautiful rosé, with the base from 2019 vintage. A wonderful trinity in Champagne with 2018, 2019 and 2020 being outstanding vintages, reflecting in the quality of this wine. The price is amazing, and how they can produce such a wine for the reasonable price, I find hard to understand. Tuck some in your cellar and continue to enjoy... I know I will!" - Bernadette O'Shea, Champagne Consultant, TWE
Gaston Burtin Blanc de Blancs 2018 - $89 on special this week; $99 RRP
"This champagne impresses me considerably! I am very much in love with 2018, and there seems a trend that years ending in '8' are very striking and blessed! I first tasted all the base wines of 2018 when I was there in 2019 and I was in awe. The same thing happened when I was there in 2009 and tasted the 2008s! This vintage 2018 is very young and full of delight and promise - it will turn out to be one of the great vintages of the century! This has a refreshing nose of citrus blossom - bush lemon and lime – along with apple blossom, white lupins and a touch of jasmine. It has a long and creamy palate, shining with citrus – ripe lemon, grapefruit, custard apple and pomelo. There is a layer of pears, white nectarines, honey dew melon and new pineapple, all adding structure to the wine. Plus, some crème brulée with that fine honey transparent coating. There is aromatic freshness, with lemon sherbet and hints of saline characters, soft almonds and touches of honeyed macadamia nuts. I believe this year was amazing for chardonnay, and the result is a wine of total generosity. It promises a very long life, and I will certainly be putting some bottles aside for my future blissful enjoyment!" - Bernadette O'Shea, Champagne Consultant, TWE
Gaston Burtin Vintage Brut 2014 - $98 on special this week; $109 RRP
// 48% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier
Aged in cellars for over 7 years
Dosage 8g/L
"This is a fresh and delightful champagne composed of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay grapes, which are very round and layered. A lively & rich nose exudes fruity and floral aromas – of orchard flowers, & honeysuckle - which leads to a palate of baked apple, pie crust layered with yellow peaches and grilled almonds. Some blueberries appear with touches of plum and layers of toasted brioche interspersed with pieces of berry-layered nougat. There is a good creamy length with excellent open fruit structure on the palate, beautifully balanced, and it has an impressive length. Amazing value for money from this very excellent vintage." - Bernadette O'Shea, Champagne Consultant, TWE
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.
// Prices valid until close of business Tuesday 31st of December