Here we go, everyone - this Saturday (25th January) sees the beginning of our in-store tastings for 2025! We thought to keep things on the light and breezy side, recognising it's still January and that the festive hangover can be a long and draining one on both the mind and wallet - that's why we're showing off our favourite whites and reds for the price, all sitting below $30!
Among the lineup are some sun-speckled whites including Pinot Grigio from Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley Riesling, one of the Barossa's best bottles of rosé, Chardonnay from WA's Great Southern, and a South African Chenin Blanc. Next to those on the tasting table will be some fragrant and juicy reds, featuring a Coonawarra Cabernet, a Rhône Syrah, Rioja, McLaren Vale GSM and an Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir.
We hope you can come by (tasting running between 12 and 2pm) and make our first outing for the year a great one!
Maison Soleil Pinot Grigio 2024 - $22 per bottle
We've adored the output from this Adelaide Hills team's latest release! Rarely do we buy so much with such confidence, but we knew to back the truck up when we tasted both the Pinot Grigio/Pinot Noir here (looking likely to be one-offs from this vineyard, too!) This one is a zesty sunny delight, carrying along a crunchy symphony of nashi pears, grapefruit, some faint honeysuckle, as well as some nutty aromas gained from its 6 month lees aging - Our Notes
Mountadam Eden Valley Riesling 2023 - $23 on special this week; $26 RRP
"High Eden-sourced riesling from Mountadam's 1968 to 1974-planted vineyard. Classic Eden Valley aromas of freshly squeezed lime juice, Bickford's lime cordial and Christmas lilies with hints of crushed quartz, orange blossom and the merest whiff of freshly cut fennel. Crisp and dry with a sizzling minerally acid driveline, great velocity and clarity. Another fine example of the value that Australian riesling represents." - 93 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Bulman Grenache Rosé 2024 - $26 on special this week; $29 RRP
// Best Rosé of Show Trophy Winner (96 Points) - Royal Queensland Wine Show 2024
"It's good to have constants in your life, that you can rely on. Turkey Flat Rosé is one of those constants. Consistently delicious year in, year out. Such a pretty Provençal salmon in the glass with aromas of redcurrant, raspberry and small red berries along with hints of purple flowers, dried citrus rind, orange blossom, light spice, crushed stone and red apple pastries. Crisp, just a little texture and perfect for many occasions, it's just a ripper of a wine." - 95 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Singlefile Great Southern Chardonnay 2023 - $29 on special this week; $32 RRP
Such is the elegance and complexity of a classic Chardonnay from WA's beautiful Great Southern region that it can balance the presence of flint, lemon curd, peach and well-mannered flicks of oak so well - Singlefile have shown they're masters of such control for years now. This makes for such clean moreish sipping, and has slots nicely between a Chablis-esque saline style and a more substantial body of cream and charred nuttiness - Our Notes
Mount Rozier 'The Beekeeper' South Africa Chenin Blanc 2022 - $23 on special this week; $26 RRP
"The grapes were hand harvested at optimum ripeness from old Swartland Chenin Blanc bush vines. The grapes where gently crushed with minimal skin contact before the juice was separated from the skins. The juice was cold settled for 72 hours before it was racked from its primary lees and a percentage of the light lees was added again for further complexity. The juice was inoculated with a selected yeast strain to capture the fruity aromas, and fermentation took place at 13 – 15°C for 16 days. Thereafter it was racked from the primary fermentation lees and allowed to mature for another three months on its fresh lees to create a wine with a fuller mouthfeel. The wine has a striking, pale lime colour. This complex and classy Chenin Blanc offers aromas of white blossoms, ripe tropical and yellow stone fruit. On the palate you can enjoy white peach, citrus, and pink lady apple, underpinned by a delightful flinty freshness and delicate citrus finish. The palate is intense and well rounded." - Winemaker Notes
Maison Soleil Pinot Noir 2024 - $22 per bottle
And here's the accompanying red - a charming, effortless Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir that's comfortably been our fasting-moving value recommendation these past few weeks. There's ample red fruit charm (strawberries, raspberries, cranberries) married with surprising but very welcome depth of chewy tannins, pinpoint acidity and some earthy hints hiding below. Brilliant for the price - Our Notes
Yalumba Sanctum Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 - $22 per bottle
// The Dan Murphy's Perennial Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon (Sydney Royal Wine Show) &
Bill Redman Trophy for Best Wine of Show, the David Wynn Trophy for Best Red of Show and the Haselgrove Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon (Limestone Coast Wine Show)
Yalumba have hit such a sweet spot with this Sanctum 2021, bringing out a dark, detailed Coonawarra Cabernet, led by tobacco, dried herb, graphite and cassis that still maintains a juicy and plush temperament for easy sipping (and wonderful gamey meat pairing). It's no real surprise, the '21 vintage being considered an exceptional year for Coonawarra with near-perfect weather conditions and a long ripening period - we'll keep adoring and recommending this one up until it all disappears! - Our Notes
Delas Saint-Esprit Côtes du Rhône 2022 - $24 per bottle
This is unmistakable Rhône syrah, awash with violets, olives ripe plum, cedar, dark cocoa and licorice. It's quite fragrant, holding an appropriate linearity that very much suits the current January weather and vibe. This strikes us as the perfect match for all those summer barbeques ahead - Our Notes
Abeica Chulato Tempranillo Joven 2023 - $26 on special this week; $29 RRP
"Whole bunch Tempranillo with tiny proportions of Garnacha and Viura from ‘younger’ vines, a mere 50+ years old. Brightly-fruited but with no sense at all of tutti-fruity confection. Gentian, wild cherry, lots of mountain herb; orange tea, bergamot, rose musk, rhubarb. The palate is similar, tea-inflected little tart berries carry spice and flesh, nice and lively. Chalky, talcy tannins, and acid-fresh." - Winemaker Notes
Bondar 'Junto' McLaren Vale GSM 2023 - $27 on special this week; $30 RRP
"It feels even finer and more elegant than prior. A cool year, yes, but it feels like evolution, too. Either way, what a charming thing it is, redolent of blue and red florals, just-picked wild raspberry and bright-red cherries, along with hardy Mediterranean herbs. It’s not just about front, though, with a fine and complex netting of natural tannin and a vivid line of acidity. What elevates it is skipping the easy path of pulpy frivolity for a gastronomic architecture and lightness of feel." - 94 Points, Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion
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
// Prices valid until Wednesday the 30th of January