As a bit of a nod towards the 4th of July, we take a drive up the scenic west coast of the United States with our tasting this weekend, with nines choices that speak true of their origin and winemaking pedigree. Napa Valley will be covered, of course, but as will Clarksburg just south of Sacramento, the misty cool-climate of Willamette Valley up in Oregon, Sonoma Coast that seaboards to San Francisco's north, Russian River just further inland from there, and the Santa Ynez Valley from just north of Santa Barbara!
Drop by between 12 and 2pm, and we'll give our very best snapshot of each one's place, climate and craft; favourite names like Orin Swift, Bogle and La Crema always shine bright, but we also hold great excitement in showing off Pike Road (a side-project from the Elk Cove family), The Eyrie'sexceptional Willamette-grown Pinot Gris, two juicy reds from The Prisoner Wine Co, and Jonata, a sister winery to none other than Screaming Eagle themselves.
A wine shop like ours is always obsessed with red and white, naturally, but we'll be adding blue to that mix come Saturday - see you then!
Wines of the USA - Specials & Tasting!
Saturday 5th July (12 to 2pm)
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The Prisoner 'Unshackled' Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 -
$30 on special this week; $34 RRP
// Cabernet Sauvignon 82%, Petite Sirah 6%, Petit Verdot 5%, Malbec 2%, Cabernet Franc + Merlot, + Tannat 5%
"Our goal is to make a very approachable and unpretentious expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. During harvest we bring the fruit into the winery destem and ferment on the skins for 14 days, to achieve a nice gentle extraction without too much tannin. The juice is pressed off and fermented in a combination of French and American oak to achieve softness. We source our grapes from the warmer areas of California primarily Mendocino County, Northern Sonoma County, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara County to achieve a ripe expression of Cabernet Sauvignon with soft tannins and eliminating any green components. The palate is filled with ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and plum, subtle clove and dried herbs with soft but structured tannins." - Winemaker Notes
Bogle Vineyards Chardonnay 2023 -
$35 on special this week; $39 RRP
"50% barrel fermentation, 50% stainless steel fermentation. Sur lie aged and hand stirred (batonnage) monthly. The 2023 vintage reflects the distinct influence of a cooler growing season, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and develop nuanced flavours. On the nose, expect vibrant aromas of bright citrus, freshly plucked apples and delicate white jasmine. On the palate, stone fruit notes are met with rich undertones of vanilla and clove, harmonized with warm spice and a touch of oak-derived toastiness. The interplay between the oak and fruit brings a balanced finish, with higher toasty notes lingering gracefully" - Winemaker Notes
Bogle Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2022 -
$35 on special this week; $39 RRP
"Aged 12 months in 2-year-old American oak. Bright, ripe and intriguing our Old Vine Zin bursts from the glass with aromas of raspberries and pink peppercorns. Cranberries mix well with brambly berries, creating dense fruit flavors framed by pipe tobacco leaf and cedar. Finishing with great structure and moderate tannins, this wine is the epitome of balance and finesse, while never compromising its authentic Zinfandel character. A perfect pair to so many dishes, including wood-fired pizza, pasta with red sauce and absolutely anything off the grill." - Winemaker Notes
The Prisoner 'Saldo' Zinfandel 2021 -
$40 on special this week; $46 RRP
// 80% Zinfandel, 12.5% Petite Sirah, 7.5% Grenache,+ Primitivo + Syrah
"Discover the rich and complex Saldo Zinfandel, crafted with precision and care. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for 9 months in a blend of new American and French oak, this wine offers aromas of black berries, dark chocolate, black pepper, cinamon, coffee, and prunes with soft mouthfeel and bright acidity, while being long and concentrated." - Winemaker Notes
Elk Cove 'Pike Road' Pinot Noir 2022 -
$58 on special this week; $66 RRP
"Pike Road Pinot Noir is hand-picked and hand-sorted then fermented in small open-top stainless steel tanks. The wine is barrel-aged in French oak barrels between 8 and 10 months. Pike Road sources the best grapes and then takes a gentle approach to preserve the inherent qualities of the fruit and showcase the unique personalities of the sites we work with. The Pike Road Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is made from 100% Northern Willamette Valley fruit, sourced from 15-20 trusted vineyard partners here in the Willamette Valley, plus fruit from our own Estate Vineyards." - Winemaker Notes
La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2021 -
$70 on special this week; $79 RRP
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is floral and juicy, with ripe cherry, candied flowers, and sweet herbs. Medium-bodied and attractive on the palate, with more ripe mixed berries, fine tannins, and a supple, soft texture, this is a clean and very charming wine to drink over the next few years." - Jeb Dunnuck
La Crema Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2022 -
$72 on special this week; $82 RRP
"Aromas of white peach, lemon zest, and green pear, are followed by subtle hints of toasted hazelnut and spices. Flavors of apple, lemon curd, and pineapple are throughout the palate, while rich flavors of vanilla custard start to shine through. A vibrant and concentrated balance of acidity drives a lingering finish." - Winemaker Notes
The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Gris 2021 -
$96 on special this week; $109 RRP
"Eyrie Vineyards pioneered Pinot Gris in the Willamette Valley and arguably the New World. They set the bar and remain at the pinnacle of Gris production in the area. Eyrie takes the long way around when it comes to Pinot Gris, aging wines on lees for up to four times longer than many of their more commercial competitors and allowing full malolactic conversion. The result is wines of supple texture complementing fresh acidities and incredible ageability. The 2021 season was warm, with long, dry periods punctuated by short spells of rain. Chilly nights preserved acid freshness throughout, something Eyrie values deeply. Handpicked fruit is destemmed, pressed and fermented in stainless-steel tank. The wine sees full malolactic conversion and rests in tank for 11 months on lees before bottling." - Bibendum, Importer Notes
"The 2021 Estate Pinot Gris is savory and expressive, offering aromas of mushroom powder, apple pie, lilac and flint and opening to honeyed bass tones as it spends time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is bursting with honeyed, nutty fruit framed by rounded acidity, and it finishes long and pleasantly grippy.” - 94 Points, Erin Brooks, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Jonata Todos Syrah Cabernet Blend 2019 -
$109 on special this week; $125 RRP
// 48% Syrah, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah, 9% Merlot, 2% Sangiovese & 5% misc. others
"This wine has been a perennial winner for over a decade now, and the 2019 reveals a dense purple hue as well as pure red and blue fruits followed by ample pepper, pen ink, graphite, and herbal nuances. I love its balance, it's medium to full-bodied, has a pure, elegant texture, and outstanding length." - 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
"Jonata's entry-level Todos remains the hidden jewel in this range, as it offers tons of character at a very accessible price. Dark cherry, cedar, tobacco and a whole range of spice notes linger in this gorgeous, Syrah-based blend. I would open the 2019 well in advance or give it a year or two in bottle, as there is plenty of youthful tannin that needs to soften a bit." - 92 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Orin Swift Papillon Napa Cabernet Blend 2019 -
$139 on special this week; $170 RRP
// 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cab Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot and 2% Malbec
"Fruit fans will dig this for its open and inviting display of açaí berry, plum sauce and warmed cassis aromas and flavors, all laced with melted black licorice and given a light mocha cloak on the broad, polished finish. A subtle savory tobacco element in the background adds a counterpoint, but this is aimed squarely at the hedonist crowd. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now" - 93 Points, Wine Spectator
"A blend of all five Bordeaux varieties, the 2019 Papillon Red Wine is a full-bodied, open-knit effort marked by pronounced notes of cedar, mocha and black cherries. Soft across the mid-palate, it turns crisper on the juicy, mouthwatering finish, but it manages to nicely conceal its considerable alcohol content." - 92 Points, Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
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 Thursday the 10th of July