NV Campbells Wines: Rutherglen Muscat
Posted: 12:33 Thu 10 Dec 2020
Rutherglen Muscats are aged in "cellars", some under tin roofs, to expose the barrels to heat. Vineyard climate is extreme with summer temperatures reaching 45C but evenings cooled by cold air flowing from the Southern Alps, which are 2 hours drive away from Rutherglen, giving an average of a 20C day/night difference. 4 different soil types depending on proximity to the Murray River. Musts are picked at 16-18 baume and then fermented on the skins for a short time (3-5 days) before being fortified with a neutral Australian grape spirit. Wines are aged in old casks varying in size from 150 to 5,000 litres. Some wineries blend across vintages early in the aging process, others age vintages separately and blend much later.
Average age of the wines in this blend is 5 years. A dark rich amber colour, 40% opaque. Perfumed Turkish Delight on the nose, sweet rose and dusty icing sugar. Thick texture, gentle golden sultanas and a wonderful perfume. Delightful mid-palate with a good level of acidity despite the high level of sugar. Warm maple syrup finish with an interesting birch bite to it; great length. Very rich and very nice, but a wine to sip and savour - would be great with blue cheese! 88/100. Drunk 10-Dec-20.
Average age of the wines in this blend is 5 years. A dark rich amber colour, 40% opaque. Perfumed Turkish Delight on the nose, sweet rose and dusty icing sugar. Thick texture, gentle golden sultanas and a wonderful perfume. Delightful mid-palate with a good level of acidity despite the high level of sugar. Warm maple syrup finish with an interesting birch bite to it; great length. Very rich and very nice, but a wine to sip and savour - would be great with blue cheese! 88/100. Drunk 10-Dec-20.