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 1998 Shiraz (Yarra Valley)
- $28
Though it's easily quaffed, one reviewer noted that this Shiraz's flavors are more like that of Chardonnay: It offers strong butterscotch, vanilla and popcorn notes on the nose, and more creamy vanilla, burnt-sugar flavors in the mouth. There are raspberry and blackberry flavors here, but they're well hidden. Finishes short, with oak and licorice.
— W.E.
(11/1/2001)
De Bortoli 1998 Melba Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Yarra Valley)
- $60
With such big, jammy, plums, oak and caramel notes on the nose and the palate, you’d expect it to have the heft to carry these bold flavors off. It doesn’t. Medium-bodied, and drinkable now.
— D.T.
(12/31/2003)
De Bortoli 2004 Gulf Station Riesling (Yarra Valley)
- $20
This Riesling offers pretty white chocolate and floral aromas, but what you get on the palate isn't quite as expressive, or as unusual. Soft-bodied in the mouth, which is unusual for a Riesling, with honeysuckle and olive oil flavors on the end. Surely easy to drink, but not too deep.
— D.T.
(12/31/2004)
De Bortoli 2003 db Selection Petite Sirah (Big Rivers)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $8
value case
— D.T.
(11/15/2005)
De Bortoli 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (Yarra Valley)
- $35
This lighter-style Cab smells like a basket of plums with a few dates thrown in. On the palate, the wine has a sweet grape flavor and smooth tannins. Finishes with pulpy wood. Imported by De Bortoli Wines USA Inc.
— D.T.
(10/1/2005)
De Bortoli NV dB Sparkling Brut (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- $10
Light and fresh, this 100% Chardonnay sparkler features slightly gingery, briny, biscuity aromas and crisp, balanced finish. At the price, the only serious competition is Cava, with its decidedly different flavors.
— J.C.
(12/31/2008)
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