In comes another marvelous entry in Stargazer's impressive recent history! Samantha Connew and the team based there in Tasmania's beautiful Coal River Valley have firmly established themselves as one of the best in the Australian game, with all of their small yearly allocations being very sought after, and all too quick to disappear off shelves!
We tried each of these five releases just yesterday, and while we can't say we're surprised at just how delicious they are, as that's just become a very natural result of the magic these legends weave, we did love to see just how expressive the palates were at such a young age with these current vintages (particular where the four whites are concerned). They will grow and mature in the cellar, of course, but we couldn't be more happy to recommend these for very satisfying early drinking right now!
Be sure to get in this week while stock lasts/on special, and explore the textural zest of the Tupelo white trio blend, the beautiful balance of minerality and sugar in the two rieslings, the Chardonnay's complex tangle oak and fruit, and the plush yet dense Pinot Noir style that could only come out of Tasmania!
Once out, they'll be gone until the next release, so we recommend to get in fast!
2023 Tupelo Blend - $33 on offer this week; $37 RRP
"The blend of the 2023 is 41% Pinot Gris, 28% Pinot Blanc, 26% Riesling, and 5% Gewürztraminer. The unusual blend mirrors the famous Alsatian 'Gentil' styles marrying the body of Pinot Gris. the exuberance of Pinot Blanc with the spicy aromatics of Gewürztraminer and the finesse of Riesling. Pale yellow in colour with green flecks. the nose is perfumed and lifted showing honeysuckle and jasmine notes with dried pear spiciness and a hint of honeyed beeswax. There is a glossy texture to the palate, with the richness framed by subtle phenolics providing both persistence and length." - Winemaker Notes
"This can be among Australia's very finest white wines. Period. It is reminiscent of the halcyon era of Marcel Deiss field blends. Each varietal rivet welded to a greater, more holistic sense of depth, resinous complexity, scintillating length and wow factor. The blend just is, ultimately transcending the individual parts despite their mention on the back label. Orchard fruits, cinnamon pastry, grape spice, orange blossom, tamarind and other things too numerous to mention in this space. The finish, as chewy as it is fresh. A wine of profundity and real potential." - 96 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com
2023 Single Vineyard Riesling - $33 on offer this week; $37 RRP
"Quartz-green in colour. Crammed with vibrant green apple and yuzu notes on the nose, with lifted jasmine and crystallised ginger aromatics. The palate’s bright acidity and river-stone flavours are balanced with a gentle fruit sweetness and a bright, glossy finish." - Winemaker Notes
"A fine riesling, verging on exceptional. Aromas of granny smith granita, lime sherbet, ginger and spiced quince. The acidity, a juicy balancing beam as the wine twists, turns and meanders across the wave of fruit intensity, staining the cheeks. A judicious dollop of sugar, draped across the finish mitigates severity, while promoting juiciness. Super length." - 94 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com
2022 Palisander Riesling - $40 on offer this week; $46 RRP
"Fermented in ceramic and concrete eggs and left on lees for ten months. The nose is a combination of lemon balm aromatics with some white blossom, gardenia florals. On the palate the mouthfeel has a grapefruit pithiness supported by a fine and taut acid line contributing tension and energy, wrapping up with a saline finish. This is a more 'experimental' expression of the variety, with the goal to showcase texture vs the more classic Single vineyard Riesling release." - Winemaker Notes
While there is slightly more volume to this than its riesling sibling, paradoxically it feels daintier, lighter-weighted and more ethereal, reminiscent of a drier Kabinett. More subtle aromas, too, of baking spice, tarte tatin and apple blossom. A creamy, subtle oak element, too. A delicate performer driven by forceful backing vocals of mineral pungency and a salty maritime punch. I'd love to drink this in 10 years." - 94 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com
2022 Chardonnay - $60 on offer this week; $68 RRP
"The nose shows plenty of white nectarine and fresh pear with some background secondary notes of gunflint and almond meal. The palate is complex and round with mandarin juice mouth-watering acidity, the fruit and oak integrated and focussed at the same time." - Winemaker Notes
A densely packed, chewy, pithy and appetizing mid-weighted chardonnay. Tightly coiled scents of nutty praline, nougat and white peach. The oak, nestled into the fray seamlessly. The finish uncoils with air rather nicely, splaying long across a raft of juicy acidity. Drink or hold across the mid-term." - 92 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com
2022 Pinot Noir - $60 on offer this week; $68 RRP
"Bright ruby garnet in colour, the nose has a little gunpowder reduction which opens up to reveal a lively combination of red and black fruits. Wild strawberries and blackcurrants dominate, but there is some pomegranate and cinnamon spiciness there also. The palate is compact and nimble, with layered tannins coming in early and supporting the juicy acidity right through to the finish." - Winemaker Notes
“Bing cherry, rose petal, lilac and gritty hints of whole-bunch influence, from dill, peppercorn and a smoky streak of mezcal across the fibrous finish. A little distracting now, perhaps. Yet will integrate nobly with time due to the extract, density and plush refinement of the finish, never straying into excessive sweetness or medicinal notes as with too many regional pinots. A very good, mid-weighted pinot. It will only get better.” - 95 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com
If you wish to purchase 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 Friday the 29th of September