Grape Variety: 100% Semillon

Growing Region: Riverina, Australia

Owner / Winemaker: Darren De Bortoli

TASTING NOTE:
This Summer will see winemaker Darren De Bortoli, and the De Bortoli "family" celebrating the 25th Vintage anniversary of Noble One - the benchmark of Australian dessert wines. Darren, a fan of French Sauternes recognised the potential to make a dessert wine from grapes affected by botrytis in the Riverina area, 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 is selectively hand-picked separately to gain maximum botrytis flavours in the finished wine.

Selected vineyards are regularly assessed to determine the optimum harvest time for each parcel of fruit based on sugar content and the degree of botrytis. Each vineyard is harvested and fermented separately at 13-15C. Fermentation can take from 3 weeks to 3 months. Most of the parcels are matured in French Oak barriques, 22% in new and 57% in one year old oak for 10-12 months with the remaining 21% left unoaked.

In the glass it is a bright, light gold. An inviting bouquet with an array of aromas, that include - 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, delectably intense and succulent and finishes clean with a good bite of natural acidity.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking perfectly well now or can be cellared for up to 10-12 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match to soft cheeses (try with blue cheese) or fruit desserts and sorbet, enjoy.

Trophy - Int. Wine Challenge UK - 2008.