De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 1994

375ml bottle.

Perhaps the most famous wine in Australia.

Darren De Bortoli created Noble One at his family winery in 1982, to this day it is still one of the most awarded wines in history and the oldest examples are sensational.  More than three decades after this pioneering Botrytis Semillon took the world by storm, internationally acclaimed Noble One remains the benchmark of Australian ‘Botrytis’ dessert winemaking.

Up until 1990, wines were matured in coarse-grained French oak puncheons produced in Australia, which gave plenty of oak character but leaked!  With effect from the 1990 vintage, tight-grained Seguin Moreau (as used by Ch. d’Yquem) has been used.

Grapes for the 1994 Noble One were harvested earlier than usual from late March to early April with selective handpickings from vineyard rows at 20-25 degrees Baume. Material from individual vineyards were fermented separately for 2-3 weeks. Wines were then clarified and stabilised as rapidly as possible and then matured for 12 months maturation in the bottle before release. Tasting notes: Deep gold colour. The nose displays intense botrytis characters with oak complexity. The palate is rich and intense, with ripe peach and orange peel botrytis characters. A finely balanced structure is further enhanced by the extremely complex finish. Winner of two trophies and 11 gold medals to date.

Notes by Darren De Debortoli – Winemaker