Come down and join in (what can now comfortably be called) festive fun, as we bring you another duo of free Friday/Saturday tastings, with plenty of eyecatching specials and quality on display!
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To begin the fun, on Friday we've got the effortlessly-lovable juicy drops from the great SC Pannell in McLaren Vale! There'll be two of their crisp white expressions, plus a handful of their delicious reds, including the 98 point Old McDonald Grenache and DC Block Shiraz. This will run from 4:30 to 6:30pm Friday (2nd Dec) evening!
Then Saturday, prepare for a big one, because we have a double champagne tasting in store for you all! There'll be a wide range of wonderful bubblies from two great houses; Laurent-Perrier and Taittinger! There's plenty of Brut, Blanc de Blancs, and Rosé to go around, like the 99 point Laurent-Perrier Grande Siecle, and the 97 point Taittinger Blanc de Blancs from 2011! This one runs at our usual 12 to 2pm time (Saturday 3rd Dec) so be sure not to miss it!
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SC Pannell Tasting Lineup
(Friday 2nd December from 4:30 to 6:30pm)
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2021 Aromatico Blend - $26 on special ; $30 RRP
// 76% Gewürztraminer, 20% Riesling & 4% Sauvignon
"Aromas are exotic and complex, bringing galangal, stem ginger, Turkish delight, beurre bosch pear and citrus blossom. The flavours are fresh, linear, and compelling, with a laser-like entry of exotic flavour backed up by a back palate alive with stone fruit and lingering Asian herbs like lemongrass and corriander root." - Winemaker Notes
2022 Fi Fi Fiano - $26 on special ; $30 RRP
"Beach mist, Ozone, brown lime, elderflower cordial, gooseberry and white currant aromas are followed by a palate loaded with early stone fruits, Sherbet and chamomile then join the riot of flavours. Silky, glossy, classy and medium-bodied. A viscous entry is followed by a clever and driving finish. Tastes like a life lived in sight of the ocean. Serve with crab linguine" - Winemaker Notes
2021 Tempranillo Touriga - $26 on special ; $30 RRP
"Black cherry and red liquourice with sweet spice, terracotta, chinotto, musk lollies and rhubarb compote. A powerful and complex nose backed up by a flavourful palate. Medium bodied and flavourful. The tannins are entwined with the acidity and balanced with the mouthful of fruit and spice. The mid palate is sweet and fleshy but held in check by the tannins and the finish is generous and long." - Winemaker Notes
2021 Montepulciano - $28 on special ; $32 RRP
"Mulberry goodness from the get-go backed up by plum, red liquorice and an herbaceous note of charred red capsicum and caramelised vegetables. Bright red fruits on the palate with an Amaro / Chinotto character that draws the flavours through to the back of the mouth. A wine that immediately introduces itself and sets up for a good time. Deliciously approachable and medium bodied the tannins jangle and jiggle with a delightful tannin dance. The mid palate is fruity and fleshy and introduces a finish laced with cocoa and chai like spice." - Winemaker Notes
2020 Old McDonald Grenache - $56 on special ; $64 RRP
"Aromas of ripe raspberry, damon plum compote, candle wax and polished exotic wood, red lipstick, dark chocolate, Turkish delight and violets. A flavour invasion of cherry, cranberry, spice and rose petals. The tannins are like a skeleton holding the flavour together before sneaking back to the front of the palate and starting all over again. Reminiscent of young Nebbiolo." - Winemaker Notes
"A rich blueberry fruit nose with violet, dark nectarine and some exotic tamarillo and papaya too. Pungent and distinctive. The palate has a fleshy core of plush fruit with commanding tannins that have so much power and energy but are delivered with grace. The flavors are blood orange, pink grapefruit, goji and red currant and are concentrated to the very end. Refreshing and packed with interest. Drink over the next decade." - 98 Points, JamesSuckling.com
2019 Koomilya JC Block Shiraz - $96 on special ; $110 RRP
"It’s never easy to describe the assault of aromas and flavours from the JC block Shiraz, for Stephen it’s the true indication of a great wine. The aromas seem to be everywhere all at once. Fleeting moments of red cherry, then iodine, a moment of dried Australian native flowers, is that vanilla bavois? Now to Red gum honey and mahogany; Captivating, intense and delightful." - Winemaker Notes
"To stutter, the tannin quality; wow. Immediately impressive, the cinch and pucker, the length of fine, weaving, silty tannins and the cool acidity that supports the glide and gloss of the wine. Dark cherry, ripe plums, some mocha and ferrous elements with dried herb, paperbark tree and salt bush characters in the mix. Bouquet and palate in accord on these descriptions. It’s concentrated but doesn’t feel heavy or cumbersome, the palate resetting with each sip with only latent spice and dried cherry characters lingering. It feels distinctly ‘Aussie red wine’ but upper tier. What a superb wine." - 96 Points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
2018 Koomilya DC Block Shiraz - $96 on special ; $110 RRP
“A blueberry and spiced bramble berry nose with red and dark plum and a sweet, fresh-turned earthy edge. This leads to a bold, rich and round palate that spoons out a big mouthful of ripe plum and blueberry fruit flavor. Boldly elemental for now with essence-like depth of blueberry fruit at the finish. Smooth long-form tannins. Holds very long.” - 98 Points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
"Liquorice, the sort of brittle dark toffee my Mum used to make, blackberry and blackcurrant, sea spray and oyster shells, biscuit spices, and thyme. It’s full of juicy and fresh small dark berried flavour, ferrous and deep, layers of pumice stone tannin, and for all the darkness, it’s still so light on its feet. Finish is very long, with a spiced poached strawberry and rhubarb thing happening, and lavish stony tannin. Wonderful." - 96 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
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Double Tasting Lineup – Laurent-Perrier + Taittinger
(Saturday 3rd December from 12 to 2pm)
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NV Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut - $82 on special ; $90 RRP
// 55% Chardonnay & 45% Pinot Noir
* 93 Points - JamesSuckling.com
"The latest rendition of Laurent-Perrier's NV Brut is showing nicely, wafting from the glass with scents of almond paste, iodine, white peach, warm biscuits and mandarin. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with an elegant, lively profile, displaying a youthfully frothy mousse, good tension at the core and an attractively chalky finish. This is an excellent non-vintage wine that seems to reflect the maison's efforts to improve their grape sourcing over the last few years." - 91 points, William Kelly, The Wine Advocate
2012 Laurent-Perrier Brut - $118 on special ; $130 RRP
// 50% Pinot Noir & 50% Chardonnay
"This is such a beautiful champagne year and the wines from this vintage shine with style and Queensland winter sunshine! All the Pinot and Chardonnay is from Grand Cru vineyards in Côte des Blancs villages Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Cramant and Chouilly for the Chardonnay and Ay, Verzenay, Verzy and Mailly for the Pinot Noir. The golden straw colour reveals the great quality Chardonnay which is a signature of this great House. Citrus shines with lemons, bitter orange, ripe pomelo and a wonderful mineral backbone. There is a layer of pineapple, some apricot, white peach and a great lemon-blossom flowery nose. The Grand Cru Pinot Noir reflects new-season blueberries and ripe raspberries with a layer of plum. Hints of ginger shine through. It is a finely knit wine - very elegant with a fine effervescence and lively palate. A marvelous wine to drink now or put down for many years to come. There will be some in my cellar! Elegant and divine!" - Bernadette O'Shea, Champagne Consultant
NV Laurent-Perrier Rosé - $139 on special ; $155 RRP
"The latest iteration of Laurent-Perrier's NV Brut Cuvée Rosé is showing brilliantly, bursting from the glass with notes of smoky red berry fruit, apples, blood orange, pomegranate and warm biscuits. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, broad and vinous, with a delicate mousse, good depth at the core and ripe acids, concluding with a sapid, gently phenolic finish. This is a sophisticated, gastronomic rosé." - 92 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"Laurent Perrier first released this rosé in 1968, well before it became fashionable to have a pink-hued Champagne in the portfolio. 100% Pinot Noir is sourced from both the north and south sectors of the Montagne de Reims sub-region, and famously draws its colour from skin contact rather than the more usual addition of red wine. It has striking freshness on the nose, bags of pure, zippy strawberry and raspberry fruit flavours, and satisfying vivacity. It's beautifully balanced with a long finish, and calls for a carpaccio of raw salmon." - 92 Points, Decanter
MV Laurent-Perrier Grande Siecle #25 - $350 on special ; $390 RRP
// 60% Chardonnay & 40% Pinot Noir
Blend of multiple vintages : 2008 (65%), 2007 (25%), 2006 (10%)
"A prestige Champagne with great density and depth, yet it remains compact and structured, with a combination of fine phenolics, acidity and extract. Lots of flavors of lemon rind, salt, mineral and honeysuckle with an attractive fresh-herb undertone. Then it turns to candied lemons with some ginger. A triumph in complexity and power." - 99 Points, James Suckling
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NV Taittinger Brut Reserve - $89 on special ; $99 RRP
"This is soft, succulent & delightfully structured champagne with a nose of Asiatic lilies, yellow iris & white Hawthorn hedge flowers. The palate opens up to raspberries, new season strawberries, lemon, tangelo, honeydew melon, pink grapefruit and pears. There is layer of apple jam on fresh sour dough bread sprinkled with cinnamon & hints of apple strudel with the flaked pastry – followed by honeyed nuts, glazed peaches, new season apricot and mandarin & little flicks of pineapple. A fresh & lively champagne with a lovely layer of chardonnay which sings of lightness & style." - Bernadette O'Shea, Champagne Consultant
"A dry and fresh and delicious Taittinger with aromas and flavors of apples, fresh lemons and minerals. Full-bodied. Precise. White pepper and salt at the end. Mostly chardonnay. Three to four years on the lees. Drink now." - 92 Points, James Suckling
NV Taittinger Prelude Brut Grand Cru - $129 on special ; $140 RRP
// 50% Pinot Noir & 50% Chardonnay
"The nose reflects white and lemon roses, citrus blossom and opens to a palate of apple, pear, preserved lemon, juicy white peaches, tangerine peel, wild cherries and strawberries. It has rich lingering flavours, a sophisticated & complex depth showing structure and finesse. It has great vibrance and persistent bubbles all sprinkled over with cinnamon, iodine, white pepper, finely crushed seashells and an edging of honeycomb. There is an impressive richness, a lovely creaminess and wonderful vibrancy to this outstanding champagne." - Bernadette O'Shea, Champagne Consultant
"This has plenty of pastry and more delicate lemon-citrus blossom. The palate's crunchy and gently biscuity, showing plenty of lemon and apple-fruit flavors that make this Champagne really fresh and upbeat. Cherries and strawberries build through the finish. Drink now." - 92 Points, James Suckling
NV Taittinger Les Folies de la Marquetterie - $135 on special ; $150 RRP
// 55% Pinot Noir & 45% Chardonnay
"The latest release of Taittinger's NV Brut Folies de la Marquetterie is showing superbly, bursting from the glass with aromas of fresh bread, crisp stone fruit, buttered toast, citrus oil and mirabelle plums. Full-bodied, vinous and fleshy, with an enveloping core of fruit, racy acids and a pillowy pinpoint mousse, it's a gourmand, concentrated wine with the substance to evolve with grace in the cellar." - 94 Points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate
"With a part aged in wood, the wine has fine bottle aging and toastiness giving it richness as well as bringing out the ripe lemon and red-apple flavors. It is a beautifully balanced wine that is ready to drink." - 94 Points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast
2015 Taittinger Brut - $135 on special ; $150 RRP
// 50% Pinot Noir & 50% Chardonnay
"This is a vivid Taittinger with notes of chalk, almond croissants, lemon curd and biscuits. Bright and linear, with a tight bead of bubbles. Focused with persistent pastry notes. 70% Grands Crus and 30% Premiers Crus. Drink or hold." - 93 Points, James Suckling
"The nose is fragrant with ripe peach and rose petal, and it has a rich texture, with a more viscous feel, and note of yellow flowers and Anjou pear. It speaks to the ripeness of the vintage, but it is long on the palate and has a light phenolic finish. I think this is ready to drink now." - 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
2011 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs - $359 on special ; $399 RRP
"Delicious notes of gingerbread, licorice and meringue. This Comtes de Champagne delivers aromas of delicate white fruit: vine peach, cherimoya and mandarin peel subtly blended with light touches of almond pastry. Perfect for a special celebration, this champagne is the ideal match for a seafood, shellfish or fish entrée." - Winemaker Notes
"A firm, fresh Comtes with a tight and composed palate. It’s full-bodied with a racy mid-palate. Long and persistent. Very structured with phenolics and acidity. Minerally. Floral, too. Refreshing and energetic." - 97 Points, James Suckling
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 7th of December