Australia's Most Awarded Dessert Wine — The Benchmark of Botrytis Semillon for Over Four Decades

My Wine Man on De Bortoli Noble One

Noble One is one of the most celebrated and awarded wines in Australian history — and one of the great dessert wine benchmarks of the world. Created by Darren De Bortoli at the family winery in 1982, Noble One was a pioneering wine that introduced Australia to the world of Botrytis Semillon: a style inspired by the great Sauternes of Bordeaux, where the noble rot fungus Botrytis cinerea concentrates the sugars, acids, and flavours of the Semillon grape into something of extraordinary richness and complexity. More than four decades after its first vintage took the world by storm, Noble One remains the undisputed benchmark of Australian Botrytis dessert winemaking — a wine that has won more international awards than almost any other Australian wine. The 2017 vintage from the Riverina delivered the warm, humid conditions that Botrytis thrives in, producing fruit of exceptional concentration and natural sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Deep golden amber in the glass — the characteristic colour of great Botrytis Semillon. The nose is opulent and complex: honey, ripe apricot, peach, and orange marmalade, with a subtle toasty oak note and the distinctive waxy, honeyed character that only Botrytis can impart. On the palate, it is luscious and rich with concentrated stone fruit and citrus flavours, crème brûlée, and a beautifully integrated natural acidity that prevents the sweetness from ever feeling heavy. The finish is long, complex, and utterly satisfying.

Style & Drinking Window

Rich, sweet, and intensely flavoured with a long, complex finish. The natural acidity of Semillon gives Noble One exceptional balance and ageing potential. Serve well-chilled at 8–10°C in a small glass. Drinking beautifully now through 2030+, with the structure and acidity to continue developing in bottle for many years. The 375ml format is ideal for gifting or for sharing between two.

Food Pairing

The opulent honey and apricot complexity of the 2017 De Bortoli Noble One make it a magnificent match for Canadian Wild Sockeye Salmon Fillet (Sashimi Grade) from My Meat Man — a brilliantly unconventional pairing where the wine's natural acidity and honeyed sweetness complement the rich, oily flesh of wild sockeye beautifully. Serve as sashimi with a honey-soy glaze, lightly seared with citrus zest and a touch of miso, or paired with foie gras-stuffed salmon for the ultimate indulgence. Equally classic with apricot tart, crème brûlée, lemon tart, or the great Sauternes pairing of all — blue cheese (Roquefort, Stilton, or Gorgonzola).

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$288 for 375ml, the 2017 De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon is one of the most compelling value propositions in the dessert wine category. Australia's most awarded dessert wine — the undisputed benchmark of Botrytis Semillon, with over four decades of international acclaim — in a 2017 vintage of exceptional concentration and quality. Comparable Botrytis Semillon wines of this pedigree regularly retail for HK$400–600 for 375ml in Hong Kong.

Looking for a Different Style?

De Bortoli Black Noble 500ml — the same family's extended-aged Botrytis Semillon; Best Fortified Worldwide 2015, richer and more concentrated.
2017 Vasse Felix Cane Cut Semillon 375ml — a Margaret River cane-cut Semillon dessert wine; lighter, fresher, and citrus-driven at outstanding value.
2012 Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 375ml — the Bordeaux comparison; a Premier Cru Classé second wine drinking at its peak after a decade of bottle development.