NV Rutherglen Muscat

RS 209.8 g/l, TA 3.4 g/l, pH 4.16. Lightly waxy nose, the merest hint of varnish, and then very firm with a greenish streak in the undoubted fruit. Sweet, fun, with a powdery finish. Very vibrant fruit – much more interesting than I was expecting! Long. Not that much acidity but good grip. A hint of grapefruit peel. In the blossom spectrum. Bravo! (JR)

Pale rosy tawny. Again some old oak on the nose here. Very sweet and thick. Lots of personality here but both sticky and dry on the end. Tastes too complex for a Rutherglen wine. Maybe should be Classic? (JR)

The NV Rosewood Vineyards Muscat appears only slightly less complex than the Muscadelle. Possessing a very pale brown color with a glint of gold, this wine is quite grapey on the nose with notes of brandied sultanas and spice cake. In the mouth it’s very sweet and rich with relatively medium-high acid to balance. The finish is very long with flavors of spicy grape syrup. As with the Muscadelle, this is also an amazing value. One of the great names in Rutherglen fortifieds, Chambers is a family operated winery that was established by William Chambers in 1858. Today it is operated by fifth generation winemaker William Chambers and his son Stephen. These fortified wines are all bottled to drink now. The extended solera aging process has rendered them relatively stable to changes and they are now bottled under screw cap so that they can be stored for a good number of years. Importer: Old Bridge Cellars, Napa, CA; www.oldbridgecellars.com