NOTES
De Bortoli Wines is an exciting, innovative family owned wine company. The winemaking team is overseen by third generation winemaker Darren De Bortoli and his brother-in-law Steve Webber who is married to Leanne De Bortoli. The dynamic duo has been responsible for many winemaking innovations and developments. Darren De Bortoli is the creator of the world acclaimed Noble One. Steve Webber, recently awarded Gourmet Traveller WINE's 2007 Winemaker of the Year, established the Yarra Valley winery, the King Valley vineyards and oversees the Hunter Valley winery and vineyards.
Darren De Bortoli developed Noble One during the 1980s. The 1982 Botrytis Semillon was the first successful vintage. When released it created an immediate impact in the wine world taking out a swag of trophies and medals both in Australia and internationally. Noble One is recognised as Australia's benchmark dessert wine and after 25 years is still one of the world's most sought after wines.
The 2005 vintage experienced warm conditions with little rain until early June. Early morning dews during April and May allowed the onset of botrytis then showers in early June meant we were able to achieve moderate botrytis across all vineyards. Selective hand pickings over a 6 week period from 23rd May to 1st July enabled us to gain maximum botrytis flavours in the finished wine.
TASTING NOTES
Bright golden in colour, the nose explodes with scents of citrus, quince, nectarine and apricot complemented with hints of well integrated 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.
OTHER REVIEWS
"This wine is Australia's gold standard for stickies. It's amazingly flavoured, like rich marmalade, finishing with a tang of acidity."
Better Homes & Gardens, May 2008
"The most famous sticky in Australia is about as intense as dessert wines get, with bush honey, cumquat and marmalade flavours, all mixed up in a delicious syrupy lusciousness."
Greg Duncan Powell, Australian Good Taste, March 2008
"Possibly Australia's most famous sweet white wine, and with good reason. Since its inception it has won a swag of awards and trophies. It's a complex and luscious wine that is beautifully balanced by a crisp finish."
Virgin Blue Voyeur Magazine, January 2007
"...arguably better than any of the French dessert wines at four times the price."
London's famous HopInn owner Brian McEntee speaking to OLN wine editor Phil Murray about De Bortoli Noble One
"I have no problems in placing the De Bortoli sauternes alongside Penfolds Grange Hermitage, the great north-east Victorian fortified mucats and tokays, the 20-year-old Lindemans semillons, the similarly aged Leo Buring Rhine rieslings, and the best Petaluma chardonnays, as Australia's greatest winestyles."
James Halliday, Top 100, Weekend Australian
