Reviews & Ratings

2015 d'Arenberg Dessert & Ice Wine "The Noble Botryotinia Fuckeliana"

Winery: d'Arenberg

Vintage: 2015

Wine Name/Vineyard: "The Noble Botryotinia Fuckeliana"

Wine Category: Dessert & Ice Wine

Grape blend: 95% Semillon & 5% Sauvignon Blanc

Bottle size: 375 ml

Region: Adelaide Hills

State or country: Australia

Price: $20

Cases produced: unknown

KWG Score: 91.6 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: August 27, 2017

Wine Review: This goldenrod colored stickie from down under opens with a black tea and apricot bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced and rich. The flavor profile is a pleasantly sweet apricot and orange marmalade blend with notes of ginger and mango. The finish remains sweet and its flavors drift away nicely. This dessert wine is delicious. I would drink it on its own. You could also pair it with Italian soft anise cookies. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: Botryotinia fuckeliana is the scientific name for a certain type of mold, more affectionately known as "noble rot" that affects fruit. Noble rot weakens the skin of the grape which causes the water in the berry to evaporate and leaves behind the sugar and nutrients. As for the wine, its lemon curd and tropical fruits spring from the glass. A subtle cut hay character props up upon further inspection. The palate, while thick and luscious, has a beautifully racy line of acid adding freshness and ensuring balance. More lemon curd flavors are enhanced by a range of other fruits including gooseberry, cumquat, green apple and mixed peel. This wine is wonderfully complex and indulgent with a subtle edge. The finish is clean and crisp, with persistence of the delightful fruit characters minus any cloying sensation.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell d'Arenberg 2015 Noble Botryotinia Fuckeliana.