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 2004 Deen de Bortoli Vat 8 Shiraz (South Eastern Australia)
- Online Exclusive
- $13
A very good wine at a fair price, De Bortoli's Vat 8 features just enough leather and spice layered over blackberry, blueberry and vanilla flavors to impart complexity without overshadowing the fruit. Finishes a bit crisp, with the emphasis on tart berry flavors.
— J.C.
(6/1/2007)
De Bortoli 2008 Deen de Bortoli Vat 9 Cabernet Sauvignon
- $13
Despite the reasonable price tag, this is a very good bottle of Cabernet, the kind that should be poured by the glass at your local steakhouse. The mixed berry and cedar flavors are easy to like, and it has enough crisp acidity and silky tannin to stand up to rare beef without being overly heavy or rich.
— J.C.
(9/1/2010)
De Bortoli 2008 DB Family Selection Petite Sirah (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- $9
Made in a soft, user-friendly style, the 2008 DB Family Selection Petite Sirah offers up a flavorful mouthful of plum and baking spices. It’s medium-bodied, with a silkiness to the structure that belies the grape variety, yet that same softness makes it immediately appealing. Drink now.
— J.C.
(5/1/2011)
De Bortoli 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (Yarra Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $34
There’s more Cab planted in Yarra Valley than Shiraz, so here’s a real local treat. This is a leaner-style wine, with a rustic profile overall: Flavors are of taut plums, wood and wheat; aromas are of earth, anise and some tobacco.
— W.E.
(11/1/2004)
De Bortoli 2004 Deen Vat 2 Sauvignon Blanc (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- $11
It smells like lemondrops, and has plenty of zesty acidity on palate entry. By midpalate, this high-strung Sauvignon settles down a bit, revealing melon in addition to the earlier citrus. It’s less intense on the finish, but still a good buy. Imported by De Bortoli Wines USA Inc.
— D.T.
(10/1/2005)
De Bortoli 2002 Windy Peak Sangiovese (King Valley)
- $15
Aromas are somehwt stewed and Portlike, with some fireplace smoke thrown in. Has smooth, woodsy tannins and cherry and plum fruit. Dries out on the finish with tangy herb/citrus flavors.
— D.T.
(12/31/2004)
De Bortoli 2004 Willowglen Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- $9
This wine has black cherry and cassis aromas that briefly go the way of tomato, then fade into a pretty, white-peppery note. On the palate, cool, black cherry fruit is juicy and couched in textured tannins. 100,000 cases produced. Imported by De Bortoli Wines USA Inc.
— D.T.
(2/1/2006)
De Bortoli 2004 Deen Vat 1 Petite Sirah (South Eastern Australia)
- Online Exclusive
- $13
Easy and approachable for a Petite Sirah, the Vat 1 starts off with oak, black pepper, eucalyptus and maple-syrup aromas; the syrupy component blessedly lets up after a few minutes in the glass. Has an interesting texture—tannins are almost furry—and would be just lovely with braised short ribs or other rich fare.
— D.T.
(11/15/2006)
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