De Bortoli
Established in 1928 by Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli, a couple who emigrated from Northern Italy to Australia, De Bortoli Wines is one of the larger family-owned wineries in Australia. Today, the third generation Darren De Bortoli is the managing director of the company. From its original home base in the Riverina region of New South Wales, De Bortoli has expanded its vineyard holdings to include sites in New South Wales’s Hunter Valley, as well as Victoria’s Yarra and King Valleys. The cooler-climate areas of Victoria, such as Yarra Valley, are conducive to growing classic varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Viognier. In New South Wales, the vineyards in Riverina experience a warmer Mediterranean climate, which helps to produce one of the winery’s most noteworthy bottlings, Noble One, a botrytized Semillon dessert wine. For more information about the wines from this Australian producer, visit our De Bortoli wine reviews.
De Bortoli 2006 Reserve Release Pinot Noir (Yarra Valley)
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- $60
De Bortoli’s unique approach to harvest timing and extensive use of new oak leaves this wine seeming rather disjointed: coffee and cola notes dominate the tart, cranberryish fruit flavors. I suspect it will show better with a few years’ of cellaring, but until then, I remain unconvinced.
— J.C.
(10/1/2008)
De Bortoli 2008 Gulf Station Pinot Noir (Yarra Valley)
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- $20
A bit lower in intensity than past vintages, but still a decent Pinot Noir, De Bortoli’s 2008 Gulf Station features modest cherry and forest-floor elements, medium body and a delicately styled finish.
— J.C.
(11/1/2009)
De Bortoli 2006 Deen de Bortoli Vat 1 Petite Sirah (South Eastern Australia)
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- $13
This is nominally a step up from De Bortoli’s dB Selection Petite Sirah, but this fresh, directly fruity wine doesn’t seem to offer much beyond jammy fruit. It’s medium-bodied, with a crisp finish and just a hint of tannic structure. Drink now–2012.
— J.C.
(2/1/2009)
De Bortoli 2006 Deen de Bortoli Vat 8 Shiraz (South Eastern Australia)
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- $13
This easy-drinking Shiraz features some plummy—almost pruny—fruit aromas, facile plum and berry flavors, little tannin and bright acids on the finish.
— J.C.
(8/1/2008)
De Bortoli 2006 Deen de Bortoli Vat 9 Cabernet Sauvignon (South Eastern Australia)
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- $13
A fruit-challenged nose makes for an unpromising begining. Thankfully, things pick up in the mouth, with cherry cola and wet earth overlaying hints of barnyard and grilled nuts. Solid, if somewhat uninspiring.
— W.E.
(2/1/2009)
De Bortoli 2007 Deen de Bortoli Vat 8 Shiraz
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- $13
Even De Bortoli’s less expensive wines often show decent structure; this wine’s firm tannins frame somewhat simple grape and blueberry fruit while calling for a fatty burger to help bring them into balance. Picks up a hint of coffee on the finish.
— J.C.
(4/1/2009)
De Bortoli 2008 Deen de Bortoli Vat 10 Pinot Noir (South Eastern Australia)
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- $15
It’s light in body and lacking in texture, but this wine does offer identifiable Pinot character in its black cherry and roasted beet aromas and flavors. Finishes crisp.
— J.C.
(11/1/2009)
De Bortoli 2008 Deen de Bortoli Vat 7 Chardonnay (South Eastern Australia)
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- $13
The provocative nose of cut grass, herbs, grapefruit and gardenia promises much. Unfortunately, the palate can’t quite deliver, with only watery melon and lemon flavors to offer that trail off to a weak but crisp and squeaky-clean finish. Drink up.
— W.E.
(12/31/2009)
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