Archive: Australia: Dessert
Benjamin Nonvintage Tawny Port Australia ($10). This is wonderful ready-to-drink stuff at any price. If you’re a fan of tawny ports, this is one you need to buy. It is certainly sweet, but with enough body and structure to back it up. Rich flavors of raisin, ripe plum, and mocha are balanced with good acidity and orange citrus. We paired it with an array of blue cheeses and it was wonderful. (Weekend Wine, 09/00)
Brown Brothers 1999 Noble Riesling Late Harvest Patricia ($33, 375 ml). A “wow” dessert wine, featuring heady kumquat, dried apricot and caramelized sugar aromas and flavors, with excellent acidity vs. sweetness. Velvety mouthfeel, with a mouthwatering finish. Outstanding to the last drop — now and over the next six to eight years. (Weekend Wine, 04/04)
Campbells NV Tokay Rutherglen ($17). Loaded with aromatic caramel, toffee and nutty flavors that introduce spicy dried fruit, fig and vanilla. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/06)
Chambers
NV Muscat Rutherglen Rosewood Vineyards ($16, 375ml). Each time I taste these Chambers stickies, I marvel at what a fantastic deal they are… With concentrated raisin, candied citrus and spicecake aromas and flavors and a long, sweet (but not syrupy) finish. Delish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-06-14)
NV Muscadelle Rutherglen
NV Muscat Rutherglen Rosewood Vineyards ($16, 375 ml). A luscious mix of dried apricot, citrus, raisin, honey and toasted caramel flavors that linger nicely on the long, rich finish. A great value out of Australia, and easy to pair with practically any dessert, cheese courses and foie gras. Ready to drink now and should continue to evolve over the next several years. (Weekend Wine 05/06)
($16, 375ml). Delicious for its aromatic, rich, ripe apricot flavors that mingle with spice cake, coffee and brown sugar notes, picking up a touch of citrusy acidity on the long finish. Ready to drink now. (Wine Skinny Cooks 06/07)
d’Arenberg 2006 Chardonnay-Semillon Adelaide The Noble ($20, 375ml). Loved, loved, loved this sticky dessert wine, for its resiny complexity and opulent apple and apricot flavors that pick up honeysuckle and a touch of refreshing tropical citrus on the never-ending finish. Ready to drink now and over the next five or six years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-09-19)($36). Ripe and very nearly thick, with loads of dried apricot, creme brulee, treacle, and spices that stay bold through the long finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 06/06)
Dutschke NV Muscat Australia
McGuigan Non-vintage Tawny Port South Eastern Australia Personal Reserve ($20). A fun and tasty break from the dry wines (and perfect for hustling back over to the Cheeses of New England booth for another nibble of Westfield Farm’s Classic Blue Log). Smooth and balanced, with deep raisin, creme brulee, fig, and toasted caramel and nut flavors. Lip-smacking finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 03/03)
Penfolds Club Port Reserve (Australia, $11). Great value on this complicated, spicy port with a long smooth finish. (Wine Tasting, 12/99)
Rosemount Nonvintage Tawny Port South Eastern Australia Solera Aged Old Benson Fine Old Tawny ($24). This nectar is a pale prune-juice color. It is medium-full bodied, with a long, soft, smooth finish (like a Bull Durham kiss). It hints of nuts, caramel, prune, and coffee. It is a wonderful dessert wine. Highly recommended and one of the greatest bargains I have ever come across. (Splurge Wine, 12/99)
Seppelt NV Tawny Port Australia Old Trafford ($12). Sweet and lingering, without being cloying. A true dessert wine. (Wine Tasting, 12/99)
Yalumba NV Muscat Victoria Museum Release ($18, 375 ml). Spicy fig, toffee, plump prune, candied orange peel, and nutty oak flavors are rich and persistent — another good example of how Australia’s stickies are hard to beat! Ready to drink now and over the next few years. (Weekend Wine 05/06)