By Andy Young
De Bortoli Wines is celebrating the 30th vintage of its iconic Noble One dessert wine and will release an exclusive anniversary gift box to mark the milestone.
The first Noble One Botrytis Semillon vintage came in 1982 and was made by Darren De Bortoli, since then the wine has gone to win great acclaim around the world. To date it has been awarded 136 trophies and 423 gold medals.
De Bortoli's senior winemaker, Julie Mortlock said: "Like his father, Darren believed the conditions at the De Bortoli Bilbul Estate vineyard near Griffith in the New South Wales Riverina region were ideal for sweet wine production.
"Today, Noble One is the most commercially successful dessert wine made from botrytis-infected grapes in Australia. Prior to its development, the Riverina region was only known for producing inexpensive table wine but Noble One changed all of that.
"As one of the most recognised dessert wines in the world, Noble One has really cemented its place as the De Bortoli family’s flagship wine, both at home, and internationally. As Noble One’s winemaker, I’m just a custodian, I look after it, and I find it quite a privilege to be given the role."
Since 1982 Noble One has only missed two vintages, in 1989 and 2012, both as a result of too much rain. Mortlock added: "In 2012, we were flooded and unable to get into the vineyards. At the time, I joked that we didn’t make it because Darren didn’t buy me a boat to get into the vineyards to harvest the fruit."
The 30th anniversary gift box has been designed to "reflect the wine’s golden hue and recognise its significant contribution to the Australian wine industry".
Mortlack describes the 2013 vintage, which is in the anniversary pack, as: "Alluring aromas of citrus marmalade, quince, and vanilla bean, with attractive oak. A medley of quince, fig, honey, crème brulee and citrus marmalade with a refreshing acidity, which offsets the richness and lusciousness to give a deftly balanced finish. Nutty oak adds to the tactile layers of this wine, adding to the impressive length and style.”
She adds that the wine is, “perfect to drink now or cellar for up to 20 years."
The 2013 anniversary Noble One Botrytis Semillon is now available nationally in all good liquor stores and comes in two sizes, 375ml, with a $33 RRP and 750ml, with a $64 RRP.