93 POINTS
Tina Gellie - Decanter
Everyone should try Rutherglen Muscat, an iconic Aussie style. This great-value option is a dessert in itself. Burnt sugar, earthy dried fruit and exotic Turkish Delight on an unctuous palate that’s not cloying thanks to balancing acidity.
93 POINTS
Ned Goodwin - JamesSuckling.com
The opening act to an imperious suite of fortifieds. A range that serves an apogee of lustrous depth, alluring complexity and thrilling length across the board. This, a little lighter. Younger. Easier going. Yet this fails to communicate just how gorgeous the wine is. Aromas of date, ginger, rosewater, grape spice, cardamon and mulled quince. The freshness is sprightly, negating any sense of cloying sweetness while promoting a long, lingering finish. I'd slurp this with a chill. Drink or hold indefinitely.
93 POINTS
Halliday Wine Companion
Few wines warm winter chills like Rutherglen Muscat. Ancient "liqueur" wines tended and blended in dusty cellars by generations of Rutherglen winemakers grab attention (and high prices), but young wines at the bottom of the range can be great value. This example from Chambers is tawny coloured with pure youthful muscat aromas of dried fruits. caramel, fig syrup, rosewater and lifted spirit. It's an uncomplicated essence of Rutherglen muscat, fruity, sweet and succulent with a thread of firmness drying the finish.
Amber in appearance, the nose gives aromas of orange confit, Earl Grey tea and mushroom consommé. The palate is medium-bodied with notes of apple pie, sandalwood and molasses. Classic and delicious.
92 POINTS
James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion
Where the Muscadelle is yellow-gold, this is pale russet red. The fortification spirit that is added after the wine has spent a mere 24 hours on skins before it is pressed introduces an edge to the Christmas cake, raisin, orange peel and spice that define new-born Rutherglen muscat. Truly great value.
91 POINTS
Josh Raynolds - Vinous
Deep amber. Dark fruits, dates and candied fig on the nose and in the mouth, with complicating notes of cherry pit and bitter chocolate. Broad, sweet and dense, with a supple texture and a touch of smokiness. Rich on the finish but also lively and
penetrating, with resonating smoke and chocolate flavors.
91 POINTS
Josh Raynolds - Vinous
(for 375 ml.) Pink-edged amber. Pungent scents of crushed raisin, black tea, fruitcake and rose. Supple, spicy, round and sweet, offering fleshy burnt orange and fruitcake flavors and a mounting note of maple. Finishes with good tangy lift and sappy, clinging persistence. This is more energetic than usual.
91 POINTS
Josh Raynolds - Vinous
(for 375 ml.) Light reddish amber. An exotic, highly perfumed bouquet displays cinnamon, clove, dried red berries and rose, with hints of toffee and black cardamom in the background. The palate displays an intriguing blend of sweet and spicy qualities, offering toffee and candied red berry flavors and a late note of candied dates. Very exotic, and a fantastic value.