We're thrilled this week to offer the brilliant new wines from Yangarra in McLaren Vale. This winery is going from strength to strength, excelling in particular with Grenache, a grape Max Allen thinks could be as important to Australian viticulture as Shiraz (click here to read the article). We're supporting this offer with a tasting of a selection of the Yangarra wines, and as Henschke share the same distributors, we've asked them to splash a few new-release Henschke's as well!
Yangarra & Henschke tasting Saturday 27th May Midday-2pm (or until the bottles are dry!)
Yangarra Estate Vineyard is one of the most recognizable wineries in the McLaren Vale, a biodynamic, single vineyard estate situated in Blewitt Springs, at the northern edge of the McLaren Vale region, an increasingly recognized sub-region producing wines of profound concentration, perfume and elegance. Here, Yangarra’s unique combination of ancient geology, high altitude, and Mediterranean climate provides the ideal growing conditions for the best grape varieties of the southern Rhône, no better represented than their single block release, wines which are highly demanded, collectable, recognizable and of exceptional quality. From the renowned 2020 and 2021 vintage, this year’s annual single block release is keenly anticipated and this is your first official access. The Single Block wines are sourced from particularly special sites on Yangarra’s single vineyard that are recognised for their quality and unique varietal expression. This range is the pinnacle of innovation and purity. 2020 Vintage Summary The growing season was affected by a very hot spring, leading to the lowest yields on record. As the grapes started their ripening process the weather miraculously cooled to a very mild ripening season. This resulted in wonderful concentration of flavour, retention of natural acidity and brightness of fruit, but above all, beautiful finesse and balanced tannins.
2020 Vintage Summary
The growing season was affected by a very hot spring, leading to the lowest yields on record. As the grapes started their ripening process the weather miraculously cooled to a very mild ripening season. This resulted in wonderful concentration of flavour, retention of natural acidity and brightness of fruit, but above all, beautiful finesse and balanced tannins.
2021 Vintage Summary
Very favourable growing season, with good winter rains and a mild flowering and fruit set period. Continued spring rainfall ensured a healthy canopy. The yields were pleasing and showed good balance between vine vigour and moderate berry size. The ripening period that began late January was very cool, with some welcome rainfall in mid-February. This delayed harvest, and with the cold nights and mild sunny days we were very pleased with fruit ripeness and intensity. The freshness and bright natural acidity of the fruit were a real feature.
Please be quick, these are made in tiny quantities on some of wines and will sell out! If sold out before the tasting we will still open these bottles for those wanting to know more about this exciting new releases.
2021 Yangarra Ovitelli Blanc - $58 on offer ; $65 RRP (per bottle)
// 73% Grenache Blanc, 27% Roussanne
Inspired by the textural white wines of the Southern Rhône, Ovitelli Blanc brings these traditional varieties together in blended harmony. Gently fermented and aged with skin contact in large ceramic eggs. Portions of the Grenache Blanc and Roussanne are macerated on skins for an extended period, between 112 and 121 days. The remaining batches were whole bunch basket pressed, and only the very lightest pressings are kept separate to be considered for the final blend. These are un-fined, unsettled and fermented exclusively in ceramic eggs. No sulphur is added until the completion of fermentation or the extended skin contact portions are removed from skins. 43% of the final blend was skin contacted. Bottled November 2021.
"Lovely mid-palate richness and fresh long cutting acidity. Very refreshing and complex - an amazing wine." - 96 points, Andrew Caillard MW
2020 Yangarra Mclaren Vale Shiraz - $28 on offer ; $32 RRP (per bottle)
Sourced from six blocks within the estate. Approximately 50% on sand, 50% on ironstone. Destemmed and selectively sorted. 50% whole berries. Wild yeast ferment. Open fermenters and on skins for up to 20 days. A gentle maceration principle of wetting the cap and only draining and returning when reductive. No pressings are used in this wine. Ѐlevage on lees in 1 to 3 year French oak puncheons for 7 months. "This wine has shapeshifted nicely over the years, segueing from a fruit-forward iteration to a more streamlined, taut and spicy expression. Mid weighted, savoury and highly suggestive of the northern Rhône. Aromas of mace, clove, dill pickle, salumi and spiced cherry. Yet there is nothing hard to the tannins or too challenging for those seeking established styles. Juicy and long of flow, this makes for excellent, versatile everyday drinking." - 93 Point, Ned Goodwin, Halliday Wine Companion
2021 King's Wood Shiraz - $58 on offer ; $65 RRP (per bottle)
Royal Oaks of the King’s Wood were forests planted by monarchs to build elegant cathedrals and church naves. The beautiful old French oak in our foudre vessels helps us make elegant wine by gradually polishing and protecting the brightest, spiciest south facing Shiraz we grow at Yangarra. Sourced exclusively from Block 12 (2.3 Ha) which sits on a south-east facing, ironstone sandy outcrop. 30% whole berries mechanically sorted, 50% crushed in open fermenters and on skins for 20 days. A gentle maceration principle of wetting the cap and only draining and returning when reductive. Wild yeast ferment. No pressings are used in this wine. Exclusively matured in 25 hL French Oak foudres, 50% new and 50% one and two-year-old, for 16 months. Certified Organic/Biodynamic.
"A stellar Shiraz, and though medium weight, deep in character and flavour, inky with purple berries, mulberry, plum and ferrous savoury characteristics with complexity from cherry-tarry things and a whiff and lick of dried rose petal. Feels thunderous and rick but lifts on fine tannin and a general sense of freshness. Balanced all the way too. To stutter, a stellar Shiraz." - 95 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
2021 Hickinbotham Clarendon Grenache - $69 on offer ; $78 RRP (per bottle)
From a site whose slopes are steeped in rich history, we source this Grenache from unirrigated bush vines planted in 1962 on the Hickinbotham Clarendon vineyard. Its distinctive fruit is nurtured with a gentle wild fermentation and matured in grand ‘cocciopesto’ amphorae. Capturing a contrasting expression of detailed perfume and a loose knit weave of tannins. Hand-picked from the Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard on the 23rd of March and selectively berry sorted. 100% destemmed, crushed and tipped into 1800 L ‘cocciopesto’ stone egg shaped amphoras. The fermentation occurred in the amphoras, a gentle maceration of only wetting the cap. 69% remained on skins in Amphora for 198 days. No pressings are used in this wine. Matured exclusively in the amphora for a total of 13 months.
"Medium-depth purple-red colour with a reserved but fragrant bouquet of red fruits and floral overtones, a note of blackberry pastille, a subtle lacing of fresh herbs, and a sheen of firming tannins coating the palate from start to finish. Long and promising: a very smart grenache." - 95 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
2020 Ironheart Shiraz - $110 on offer ; $125 RRP (per bottle)
Ironheart is the flagship Shiraz from single vineyard estate in Blewitt Springs at the northern edge of McLaren Vale. The vineyard’s northern aspect, higher elevation and sandy ironstone soils produce Shiraz with immense concentration and finesse. Hand-picked (21st March), 20% whole bunches, and the remainder has been destemmed, mechanical berry sorted, 30% whole berries and 50% crushed. Open fermenters and on skins for approximately 21 days. A gentle maceration principle of wetting the cap and only draining and returning when reductive. Wild yeast ferment. No pressings are used in this wine. Kept on lees for 16 months in 1 year old foudre. Bottled November 2021. Certified Organic/Biodynamic.
"This is an open and focused red with blackberry, cloves and dried flowers. Pencil shavings, too. Some black cherry. Medium to full body, firm and balanced, fresh and bright. Peppery. Flavorful and savory. Open for this wine already. From biodynamically grown grapes." - 95 Point, James Suckling
Also available...
Yangarra High Sands Grenache 2020 - $300 per bottle (10% discount available in any mix 6 bottles)
"This has such precision with aromas of blackberries, cloves, raspberries, black tea, rooibos, dried rosemary and iron shavings. Dark and mineral with a medium body and a firm, very fine and tight tannin frame. Fantastic tension and freshness. From biodynamically grown grapes. " - 97 Point, James Suckling
"Medium crimson. Dried roses, strawberry apricot nectarine aromas with hints of sesame ,roasted walnut. Beautiful strawberry apricot, hint raspberry pastille flavours, fine loose knit chalky tannins with al dente textures and beautiful quartz-like acidity finishing with a feathery plume. Very minerally with lovely fruit complexity and torque. Drink now – 2040" - 97 Point, Andrew Caillard, The Vintage Journal
Henschke Lineup
"In 2018, we also celebrated 150 years of Henschke family winemaking. Nature collaborated too, delivering an exceptional season, that reflects the inherent characters of this wondrous vineyard site and will be considered a standout of this decade. The wines from 2018 have wonderful complexity, richness, depth and balance, an expressive sense of place, and fine and mature tannins. They are comparable to exceptional quality vintages such as 1982, 1990, 2002 and 2010, all from mild seasons that have shown excellent ageing potential in ideal cellaring conditions.” – Stephen Henschke, Chief Winemaker
Please be quick, these are made in tiny quantities on some of wines and will sell out! If sold out before the tasting we will still open these bottles for those wanting to know more about this exciting new releases.
2018 Keyneton Euphonium
Keyneton Euphonium is a beautiful composition of shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot from selected vineyards in both regions
65% Shiraz 23% Cabernet sauvignon 9% Cabernet Franc 3% Merlot. Matured 20% new and 80% seasoned hogsheads oak for 18 months prior to blending and bottling
"Deep crimson with vibrant ruby hues. Lifted aromas of ripe blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, Satsuma plum, blueberry, anise and violets with hints of black pepper and cedar. Rich and concentrated flavours of dark plum, blackberry and blackcurrant, with a pure, plush and focused mid-palate, bright, balanced acidity, and excellent length, carried by fine-grained, ripe tannins. One of the all-time great vintages of this wine." - Winemaker Note
2020 Tappa Pass Shiraz - $110 on offer ; $125 RRP (per bottle)
This wine is sourced from up to 70-year-old, low-yielding shiraz vines from a selection of historical grower vineyards at Tappa Pass and Light Pass, growing in low-fertility Neoproterozoic soils more than 542 million years old, that range from red-brown earths to terra rossa. These vineyards provide shiraz fruit from both the Eden and Barossa Valleys of the Barossa zone Matured in 25% new and 75% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
"Deep purple from core to rim. Heady on the nose with ripe plum, ironstone and violet aromatics. Powerful and dense yet carries a sense of vibrancy and poise which stands it in a different class. Some meat and graphite savoury elements are beginning to show but this wine is still only beginning to open its wings. Tannins are the finest of grains yet persist throughout to the prodigiously long finish. Pure class" - 96 Point, Stuart Knox, The Wine Review
2018 Mount Edelstone Shiraz - $245 on offer ; $275 RRP (per bottle)
*Limited edition Collector's six-pack available with purchase of 6 ($1,470)
Click HERE ( only 1 set left)
The beautiful and historic name Mount Edelstone is a translation from the German Edelstein meaning ‘gemstone’. The ancient 500-million-year-old geology in the vineyard has given rise to soils that are deep red-brown clay-loam to clay, resulting in low yields from the dry-grown, ungrafted centenarian vines. First bottled as a single-vineyard wine in 1952 by fourth-generation Cyril Henschke. By the time Cyril purchased the vineyard from Colin Angas in 1974, Mount Edelstone was already well entrenched as one of Australia’s greatest shiraz wines. Crafted by the Henschke family for over 65 years now, Mount Edelstone is arguably the longest consecutively-produced, single-vineyard wine in Australia. Matured in 27% new and 73% seasoned (77% French, 23% American) oak hogsheads for 20 months prior to blending and bottling.
"Medium deep crimson. Intense blackberry, mulberry praline aromas with mocha sage herb garden notes. Superbly concentrated wine with deep set blackberry, dark plum, mulberry fruits, fine slinky tannins, attractive mid-palate richness and underlying mocha, vanilla notes. Finishes firm with chinotto, hint marzipan notes. Superb mineral length, vigour and extract." - 99 Points, Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
2018 Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon - $175 on offer ; $195 RRP (per bottle)
Matured in 10% new and 90% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
"The 40th anniversary of the first vintage of this wine, named after Stephen Henschke's father, fourth-generation winemaker Cyril, who first planted this Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in 1969. And in warmer years, like 2018, the 'solar panel' slopes of this cooler site shows what fully ripened Eden Valley Cabernet can offer. Rich purple and inky blue fruits soar from the glass: cassis, mulberry, violets and an almost pine forest-like ozone freshness that brings lift and clarity to the sumptuous palate. Beautiful length, elegance and purity, with smooth graphite-like tannins and vibrant acidity. With no 2017 produced, this is worth the wait; a fitting toast to Cyril." - 97 Points, Tina Gellie, Decanter
"Bright blackberry and blackcurrant fruits with top notes of redcurrant and red cherry. Olive tapenade, cedar, light briar notes and mountain herbs. Fine lacy acidity and tight, powdery tannin provide the frame, and there is no doubt that this release will age magnificently." - 96 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Also available in store for purchase:
Henschke The Wheelwright 2018 - $150
Henschke Hill Of Grace 2018 - $950
Henschke Hill Of Grace Magnum 2017 - $2295
If you wish to purchase 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 31st of May