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 2007 Gulf Station Pinot Noir (Yarra Valley)
- $19
A silky, lightweight Pinot Noir, this wine’s aromas and flavors are dominated by tart berries (cherry, cranberry) and an intriguing herbal edge (wintergreen?). Too bad it fades fast on the finish; it’s a rather pretty little wine.
— J.C.
(12/31/2008)
De Bortoli 2007 Reserve Release Pinot Noir (Yarra Valley)
- $55
De Bort's Reserve Releases, highly acclaimed in Australia, continue to confound. The 2007 is a medium-bodied, crisply constructed wine that combines subtle smoky notes with earth and roasted root vegetables. Silky tannins on the finish suggest some improvement is possible over the next 2-3 years.
— J.C.
(11/1/2009)
De Bortoli 2010 Gulf Station Pinot Noir (Yarra Valley)
- $20
Suitably light in body and elegant, this is a pretty, varietally correct Pinot Noir, with fruity notes of cranberry and tart cherry accented by shadings of earth and brown sugar. It’s silky on the finish, with delicate hints of coffee. Drink now.
— J.C.
(7/1/2012)
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)
De Bortoli NV DB Family Selection Sparkling Brut Chardonnay (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- $10
Straightforward, fresh and citrusy, this is a 100% Chardonnay sparkler that proves quality and price are not always perfectly linked, making it a great value. It is a little soft and plush in style, but shows some leesy hints and plenty of tangerine fruit on the moderately long finish.
— J.C.
(12/15/2010)
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