De Bortoli, Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2019 Riverina
Tasted from a 3-cl mini sample bottle. Presented by winemaker Julia Mortlock. This is the 40-year anniversary of the first release of the De Bortoli Noble One. 20- to 60-year-old Sémillon vines on sandy loam, 129 m. Mostly estate fruit but they also get fruit from one long-term grower of botrytis Sémillon. The wine spends a year in barrel. TA 9.4 g/l, pH 3.62, RS 250 g/l. Screwcap.
Deep gold. Lusciously sweet. Toffee and honeycomb, syrupy crème brûlée, baked bananas in maple syrup. This is sweet enough to bring out a fine bread of sweat on any top lip. Weighty and full, without any pretence at European acidity. A sweetie for the most sweet-toothed. (TC)