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 Vat 9 Cabernet Sauvignon (South Eastern Australia)
- $13
A successful bottling from De Bortoli, this Cabernet does have some slightly herbal notes, but they accent the tart cherry, cedar and chocolate flavors that lie at this wine’s core. The tannins are supple, with structure provided by crisp acidity that gives the fruit a cranberry twist on the finish.
— J.C.
(2/1/2007)
De Bortoli 2005 Deen Vat 7 Chardonnay (South Eastern Australia)
- Online Exclusive
- $13
This wine starts off rather toasty and woody-smelling, but the wood is much less noticeable on the palate, where pear and peach flavors take over, given focus by crisp, citrusy notes on the finish.
— J.C.
(2/1/2007)
De Bortoli 2005 Estate Grown Shiraz-Viognier (Yarra Valley)
- $30
In keeping with the winemaking philosophy here, this is not a big, ripe, Aussie fruit bomb. Instead, it’s an earthier style, with coffee and black olive notes backed by ripe blackberries. An olive-crusted rack of lamb would be a top-notch food pairing.
— J.C.
(3/1/2008)
De Bortoli 2005 Deen De Bortoli Vat 5 Botrytis Semillon (Riverina)
- $14
It’s not easy to find bargain-priced stickies, but this offering from De Bortoli is a solid attempt. It’s like their Noble One Botrytis Sémillon, just dialed back a notch, with less oak and concentration, but still boasting dried apricot and candied pineapple flavors that end with a hint of orange rind.
— J.C.
(12/15/2007)
De Bortoli 2007 db Selection Petite Sirah (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $10
This rather chunky, grapy wine is a good alternative to the ubiquitous Bogle Petite Sirah from California, its only real competition in the value Petite Sirah segment. The dark fruit notes turn slightly dusty on the finish, hinting at black olives. Pair it with burgers, chops or steaks. Drink now–2012.
— J.C.
(2/1/2009)
De Bortoli 1999 Deen de Bortoli Vat 8 Shiraz (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- $10
Here’s a sweet, easy-drinking Shiraz that’s made to please the masses. Candied red-berry fruit is laced with caramel and toasty oak. Hints of black pepper on the nose and finish remind you that you’re drinking Shiraz.
— W.E.
(10/1/2001)
De Bortoli 2005 Deen De Bortoli Vat 2 Sauvignon Blanc (South Eastern Australia)
- Online Exclusive
- $12
Consistent on the palate, with red apple, white peach and hay flavors in a round, food-friendly size. Has some unctuousness, and light resin aromas, that makes it feel more like a Sem-Sauv blend.
— D.T.
(6/1/2006)
De Bortoli 2007 Deen de Bortoli Vat 7 Chardonnay (South Eastern Australia)
- $13
This medium-bodied Chardonnay boasts a fair degree of complexity for its modest tariff: slightly toasty, nutty aromas lead into flavors of hazelnut, ripe peach and citrus. A solid effort.
— J.C.
(6/1/2008)
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