|
Introducing the extended range of Seppelt Rutherglen fortified wines. Seppelt fortified winemaker James Godfrey said they were crafted to showcase the rare and unique nature of Rutherglen fruit.
Fortified drinkers will be familiar with Seppelt DP57 Rutherglen Grand Tokay (29 gold and 39 silver medals in Australian Wine Shows since 1990) and Seppelt DP63 Rutherglen Grand Muscat (5 trophies, 24 gold and 38 silver medals in Australian Wine Shows since 1990) and can now enjoy four new fortified wines in this range. These new wines span two classifications of the four-tier classification system initiated by the Muscat of Rutherglen Group:
Rutherglen Muscat
Seppelt DP33 Rutherglen Muscat
Seppelt DP37 Rutherglen Tokay
Grand Rutherglen Muscat
Seppelt DP57 Rutherglen Grand Tokay
Seppelt DP63 Rutherglen Grand Muscat
Rare Rutherglen Muscat
Seppelt DP59 Rutherglen Rare Tokay
Seppelt GR113 Rutherglen Rare Muscat
According to James Godfrey, Rutherglen in north-east Victoria has the climate and soil ideally suited to producing the Brown Muscat and Muscadelle grapes for the Muscat and Tokay styles. Some commentators note the similarity in growing temperatures between Rutherglen and Stubbal in Portugal, one of the world's great fortified producing regions. James believes one of the keys to the quality of Rutherglen fruit is the region's exceptional vines. In fact, James believes that the phylloxera that swept through the area in the 1800s, meant the strongest surviving vines were used to propagate the vines for future plantings ensuring the uniqueness and strength was preserved.
Fruit for all the Seppelt Rutherglen range comes from two contract growers (one vineyard was part of the original Seppelt-owned vineyards). Once the fruit is harvested it is crushed and fortified in Rutherglen - using Seppelt spirit - under instruction from James Godfrey. It is then transported to Seppeltsfield in the Barossa Valley where it is matured and blended.
James explains how the fortified wines fit into each of the Rutherglen classifications. Rutherglen Muscat which encompasses Seppelt DP33 Rutherglen Muscat and
Seppelt DP37 Rutherglen Tokay are designed to show exactly what Rutherglen is all about. These wines offer pristine fruit characters. These wines have minimal wood age and are meant to demonstrate pure fruit flavours and be easy to drink.
Grand Rutherglen Muscat offers intense fruit character that has the capacity to persist with the added complexities of at least ten years wood ageing. Seppelt DP57 Rutherglen Grand Tokay and Seppelt DP63 Rutherglen Grand Muscat fit into this bracket.
Rare Rutherglen styles use only the top tier of fruit from the region and can only be produced from a vintage with ideal growing conditions allowing the maturity and concentration required. These fortified wines showcase a fruit intensity and complexity that only comes with up to 25 years ageing in small oak - and the additional concentration of flavour which occurs over the years as the wine evaporates (known as the angels share). As their name suggests Seppelt DP59 Rutherglen Rare Tokay and Seppelt GR113 Rutherglen Rare Muscat both live in this category.
Asked to pick a personal favourite from the six wines, James labels the Seppelt GR113 Rare Muscat 'exceptional'. He admits to having some personal bias in this assessment as he was involved in the 1983 vintage and fortified wine from this vintage formed the basis of this wine. He says the 1983 vintage was "a freak - the fruit was harvested at 36 Baume, giving it huge intensity of flavour. You can clearly see the rewards from this year which had even temperatures, no rain, no hot spells and the right levels of botrytis".
Each of these wines is available through major retailers throughout Australia or through the Cellar Doors at the historic Seppeltsfield winery.
Editors Note:
The naming system used for these fortified wines comes from Seppelt's historic stock control system. These were used when a Customs Officer lived on the winery grounds to monitor and control all fortified wines held underbond. When each wine was produced at Seppeltsfield Winery it was given a Group or GR number. This underbond number stayed with that fortified wine until it was blended and ready to go to market at which time the duty was paid on the wine, released by Customs and given a DP (Duty Paid) code.
|
Return to News & Events
|