Chambers Old Vine Muscadelle 375mL 12 Pack

97 POINTS

Ned Goodwin - JamesSuckling.com

Riveting aromas of cold Early Grey tea, spiced date, mocha and cardamon pod, with a subtle lilt of rancio. To speak in greater depth would take me well beyond this space. Put it this way, this is among the world's very greatest fortified expressions. Nary a degree of excessive sweetness, clad to gently unctuous, mid-weighted bones. The finish, palpably dry, such is the presence and savory aura. These wines don't die. I almost prefer this to the Grand Muscadelle, despite the younger wines involved.... forever.

97 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion

Despite the odd marketing moniker ‘Topaque', the grape is indeed Muscadelle. Muscadelle kicks around Sauternes and the south-west of France before reaching its fortified apogee here, in Rutherglen. Mahogany. Date, fig, molasses, orange zest; not rancio depth as yet, but fresher for it. I love the underlying lemon curd lift of Muscadelle. Despite the decadence, there is always freshness.

97 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion

A wine that Stephen Chambers has placed outside the normal Rutherglen classification system, 'old vine' rather than 'old wine'. Yet this is clearly much older than the entry point wine, now with edges of brown, the flavours distinctly more complex, with a burnt spice savoury edge to the toffee, cold tea and Christmas cake flavours. Exceptional value. Gold 2005

97 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion

A wine that Stephen Chambers has placed outside the normal Rutherglen classification system, 'old vine' rather than 'old wine'. Yet this is clearly much older than the entry point wine, now with edges of brown, the flavours distinctly more complex, with a burnt spice savoury edge to the toffee, cold tea and Christmas cake flavours. Exceptional value. 375ml.

96 POINTS

James Suckling

Seriously complex and inviting, with sweet aromas of orange cake, dried fruit, treacle tart and spiced poached apples. The palate is full-bodied and generous, with notes of caramelized pear tarte tatin, vanillin, tea leaves, mocha and dates. Intensely focused and generous. Exceptional.

95 POINTS

Ned Goodwin - Halliday Wine Companion

Despite the odd marketing moniker ‘Topaque', the grape is indeed Muscadelle. Muscadelle kicks around Sauternes and the south-west of France before reaching its fortified apogee here, in Rutherglen. Mahogany. Date, fig, molasses, orange zest; not rancio depth as yet, but fresher for it. I love the underlying lemon curd lift of Muscadelle. Despite the decadence, there is always freshness.

95 POINTS

Jeni Port - Halliday Wine Companion

Produced using a modified solera system that has been in operation since the late 20th century, using 1986 muscadelle as the base. A blend of vines aged between 40 and 100-plus years. Delivers a finely nuanced fortified masterclass equivalent to the second or Classic classification. Classic, indeed, in the Chambers style, which effortlessly mingles dried fruits, malt biscuit and rancio walnut nuttiness with a richness of spice and floral aromatics in vanilla, cardamom and bergamot. Heady, fine and yet so complex and fresh. What value! 375ml.

95 POINTS

Jeni Port - Halliday Wine Companion

Equivalent to the Classic Rutherglen Muscat classification, this amber beauty retains the essence of muscadelle flavour – roasted nuts, tea leaves, malt and toffee – within a smoothly honed, deep, sweet palate of some obvious complexity. The blender's art is right here on display to be celebrated. 375ml.