It's an all-Australian weekend coming up for you all to enjoy, featuring two brilliant wineries and a number of their new releases that have just come through our doors!
On Friday, we'll have a fan-favourite on show with the wines of Soumah, including six expressions that display the estate's cool climate and ancient Yarra Valley soils, allowing them to specialise in more unique grape varieties that are typical of northern Italy and south-eastern France! Their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have been consistent fan-favourites for many customers with their savoury fruit-driven styles, but we're also excited to cast our gaze to Italian-inspired Pinot Grigio and Marzemino (a native North Italian grape we've never seen before in the shop), and their French-inspired Savagnin duo. This will run from 4 to 6pm Friday (18th), hosted by rep extraordinare David Bone!
And on Saturday, an excellent lineup awaits from McLaren Vale's acclaimed estate Bekkers, having just garnered near-perfect scores from James Halliday in the 2024 Wine Companion! Simply put, this is world-class Grenache and Syrah from Toby and Emmanuelle, the husband and wife vigneron team, that truly encapsulate their motto of 'from the soil to the soul'. The shining star of the show will undoubtedly be the 99-point Clarendon Syrah, but we already know the other three reds will be loved by you all too, so come by between 12 to 2pm Saturday (19th) and host Todd Rumble from Gathered Wine will greet you with a glass in hand!
Soumah Wines - Specials and Tasting Lineup (Friday 18th August 4 to 6pm)
2023 Pinot Grigio - $24 on special; $27 RRP
"Due to our cooler climate, the Yarra Valley is one of the better locations in Australia to produce Grigio with the same zesty characters as from its origin. A cool tank fermentation and constant lees stirring creates an aromatic wine with taste and texture. Aromatics of ripe pear, quince and floral notes are supported by a fine natural acidity. The finish is long and fresh with expressive minerality." - Winemaker Notes
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2023 Single Vineyard Savarro (Savagnin) - $25 on special; $29 RRP
"An ancient green-skinned, tight-bunched variety that was first recorded in the 10th century. Over the millennia it travelled to all corners of Europe and was then extensively used to create many of today’s modern varieties. The cool climate of the Yarra Valley is perfect for the variety, which was gently picked, then cool tank fermented to retain fresh aromatics and aged on lees for good texture. Straw colour with lemon curd and white flowers on the nose. A textured palate of citrus zest is balanced by lengthy mineral finish." - Winemaker Notes
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2022 Single Vineyard Marzemino - $30 on special; $34 RRP
"Marzemino is native of Trentino in Northern Italy and is genetically a cousin of Syrah. It has large bunches and ripens very late. The wine has a very dark tint and light cherry and plum fruit flavours. It was Amadeus Mozart’s favourite so that gives it quite a nod!" - Winemaker Notes
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2022 Hexham Vineyard Chardonnay - $38 on special; $44 RRP
"The Yarra Valley is possibly the ultimate region in Australia for fresh, new-age Chardonnay. Our goal is simple; add to that reputation with our definitive vineyard site, coupled with the finest clones and exacting viticulture to create a modern, premium Chardonnay. The fruit was barrel fermented with 100% wild yeast. The wine was then matured on lees in these Barriques and Puncheons for eight months with some secondary fermentation to create depth and finesse. Citrus, grapefruit, and melon bouquet is supported by ‘struck match’ and brioche character. A zesty melon and citrus palate wound together with subtle new oak and silky creaminess, finishing long and fresh and zesty." - Winemaker Notes
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2022 Hexham Vineyard Pinot Noir - $38 on special; $44 RRP
"We have four clones of Pinot Noir on our Hexham Vineyard and once combined they create a classic, cool climate style wine showing elegance and savoury spice. Fermentation is completed using indigenous yeasts followed by a lengthy maturation in premium French oak to add a layer of earthy complexity. Savoury with cherry and spice on the nose and a palate of red fruits, leaf and earth. It maintains clean minerality and length and will benefit from 5 years ageing." - Winemaker Notes
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Wild Savagnin Solero No. 2 - $73 on special; $83 RRP
"The inception of our Wild Savagnin ‘Solero’ No.2 comes from our interminable love of this ancient variety that was first recorded in 10th century Northern Italy. Inspired by original winemaking techniques, we handpicked and foot stomped small parcels of Savagnin, which were then predominantly fermented in clay with indigenous yeast on full solids — much like they may have way back when. The layering of vintage over vintage (2015, 2019, 2020 and 2021) was to start a Solero system whereby we can develop deep brooding flavours while still retaining freshness in the wine. The wine is a unique statement, carrying an unusual depth of personality. This persona will continue to develop with each Solero we release. The wine has that trademark linear citrus line, but it is fused with the brooding flavours of age-old tradition. Some people call it ‘wine with funk’; we love it for its structure, depth, and wild ancient origins." - Winemaker Notes
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Bekkers Wines - Specials and Tasting Lineup (Saturday 19th August 12 to 2pm)
2021 McLaren Vale Grenache - $83 on special; $95 RRP
"The red berry, cherry and a whisper of dark chocolate define the bouquet and palate of a totally delicious wine. All the flavours of the palate are those promised by the bouquet. It’s only 14% alc/vol and medium-bodied; the superb balance guarantees a wine that can be drunk tonight and all steps of the 30 years to follow." - 98 Points, James Halliday, July 2023
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2021 McLaren Vale Syrah Grenache - $83 on special; $95 RRP
"It’s the depth of colour that draws the intake of breath, and setting the pace of the wine that, through some vinous magic simultaneously offers elegance and power. Plum, blackberry and black cherry provide the fruit flavours, welded together on the lingering finish. Drink now to 2038." - 98 Points, James Halliday
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2020 McLaren Vale Syrah - $109 on special; $125 RRP
"Clarendon and Seaview sourcing, harvested across staggered windows to impart textural detail and freshness. Fermented wild with gentle pumpovers. 50% bunches in the mix. Basket pressed to 500L French wood (55% new). The end result, as with all wines here, is one of consummate class and refinement. While the grenache is the leading light, this sits comfortably in 2nd place. Carnal spice, pepper grind, salami and blue to darker fruits are strung across bow of saline tannic tension, rolled into a firm gristly knot. Superlative grape tannins, mind you, extracted with a confident aplomb. The oak, a mere echo. This glimpses the finest crus of the northern Rhône through the lens of the Vale. Exciting. Exceptional. Rewarding." - 96 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion
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2021 Single Vineyard Clarendon Syrah - Special 3-packs available for $900!
"Only 800 bottles were made with 52% whole bunch, 48% berries, machine sorted, matured in two French puncheons, one new, for 16 months. A wine that defies the laws of gravity, superfine and intense, fresh pure mouth-watering; silky tannins provide the chorus. Drink now to 2048." - 99 Points, James Halliday
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Cellar Releases Also on Tasting / Available for order!
Please email toby@thewineemporium.com.au if you would like any of the following Bekkers wines -
2016 McLaren Vale Grenache - $99 on special
2016 McLaren Vale Syrah Grenache - $99 on special
2016 McLaren Vale Syrah - $139 on special
2017 McLaren Vale Grenache - $97 on special
2014 McLaren Vale Syrah - $135 on special
2015 McLaren Vale Syrah - $135 on special
2018 McLaren Vale Syrah - $135 on special
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If you wish to purchase these wines, please use the links above. Otherwise, if you have any questions, or wish to purchase the 2016 Bekkers releases, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email toby@thewineemporium.com.au Prices valid until Thursday the 24th of August