Grape Variety: 100% Semillon - Botrytis

Growing Region: Riverina, Australia

Chief Winemaker: Darren De Bortoli

TASTING NOTE:
Created by Darren De Bortoli in 1982, for more than 20 years, Noble One has been regarded as Australia's benchmark dessert wine. Darren recognised the potential to make a dessert wine from grapes affected by botrytis or 'Noble Rot' in the Riverina, where the family wine company is based. The wine created a sensation when it was released and has become one of world's most highly awarded and sought after wines. Each vineyard was selectively hand-picked separately to gain maximum botrytis flavours in the finished wine.

Fermentation can take from 3 weeks to 3 months. When fermentation is completed, the wines are clarified, stabilised and filtered to either barrel or tank. Most of the parcels are matured in French Oak, 22% in new and 57% in one year old oak for 10-12 months with the remaining 21% left unoaked.

This wine is bright and light gold in colour. The bouquet has an array of aromas that emerge from the glass - peach, cumquat, nectarine and floral honey complemented with hints of well integrated sweet vanillin oak.

The palate is rich and luscious with layers of flavour including apricot, peach, citrus and subtle French oak. The wine is vibrant and finishes with a nice tang of acidity. Delectably intense and succulent are words that come to mind.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking perfectly well now; and will cellar for up to 10-12 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match with soft cheeses (try with blue cheese) or desserts.

Trophy - International Wine Challenge - UK, 2008.