De Bortoli Black Noble 10 Year Old (500ml)

Date, fig and almond log, roasted chestnuts, pecan and soft prunes. Wafts of integrated spirit lead to barrel notes of vanilla paste, coffee, salted caramel and wood varnish. Baked soda bread and rye. Takes on new life on the palate with gritty tannins and surging acidity. Caramelised apples and dried apricots get a new lease on life. This is well designed, well executed and continues on and on. Stunning. 97 points, Halliday Wine Companion

When the botrytised Semillon grapes are being harvested for Noble One, a parcel of fruit at approx 20-22 baume is selected to produce the Black Noble intense and ripe botrytis flavours. Very little fermentation occurs before fortification with a neutral grape spirit is added to inhibit any further fermentation. Black Noble is then clarified, a touch of brandy spirit added for further complexity before being transferred into used Noble One barriques.

Amber colour with olive green hues. The nose has hints of toffee and coffee with raisins and mandarin peel. Unique and delicious flavours of rich raisin and dried date fruit with hints of citrus peel and caramel flavours. Concentrated and viscous with lingering aged complexity. Winemaker’s notes