All Saints Estate Grand Rutherglen Tawny (NV)

375mL / Rutherglen, VIC / Australia

Category: Wine
Sub-Category: Fortified

Made from Brown Muscat grapes from All Saints' Wahgunyah vineyard planted in 1920. It is from these (replanted) vineyards that All Saints Estate won Australia's first international Gold Medal, in London, for a sweet blend of Shiraz and Muscat. Brown Muscat is a clone of the oldest and noblest variety of Muscat, Muscat Blanc, Petits Grains (Muscat of Frontignan is a synonym).

Rutherglen Muscats are classified into four tiers that mark a progression in richness, complexity and intensity of flavour, due to the age of wines used.

On average they are:
Rutherglen Muscat 2-5 yrs
Classic Rutherglen Muscat 6-10 yrs
Grand Rutherglen Muscat 11-19 yrs
Rare Rutherglen Muscat 20 yrs plus

The wine is a blend of Muscats of various ages, sweetness levels and flavours, a combination highlighting the benefits of blending selected parcels from different years. The resultant wine is better than any of the individual components used in the blend.

The colour is brown with a green edge while the nose exudes marvellously luscious aromas of ripe raisins. The full-bodied palate is rich in dried raisins, showing an impressive balance between aged and fresh younger material, deeply flavoured but with a lively lingering finish.

This rich Grand Rutherglen Muscat is an excellent complement to a wide range of flavoursome pate, terrine, soups and stews, spicy Asian cuisine and sauced meats. It is sublime matched to dessert dishes with caramel, toffee, chocolate, and marinated fruits or rich ice cream - no wonder Rutherglen Muscat has a reputation for producing probably the greatest dessert wine style in the world. And of course it is the perfect partner to well brewed coffee and petit fours.