Best Fortified Worldwide — Hong Kong International Wine Challenge 2015 — A Uniquely Australian Dessert Wine of Extraordinary Complexity

My Wine Man on De Bortoli Black Noble

Black Noble is one of the most unique and extraordinary wines in the De Bortoli portfolio — and one of the most distinctive dessert wines in Australia. It begins life as Noble One, the family's legendary Botrytis Semillon and Australia's most awarded dessert wine, before undergoing further extended barrel ageing that concentrates and transforms the wine into something altogether different: darker, richer, and more complex, with the amber-olive colour, viscous texture, and aged complexity of a wine that has spent years developing in old oak. The result is a wine that sits in a category of its own — part Botrytis Semillon, part aged fortified, entirely De Bortoli — and that was recognised as the Best Fortified Worldwide at the Hong Kong International Wine Challenge in 2015. This is a wine of genuine world-class pedigree, made by one of Australia's most celebrated wine families, in a style that exists nowhere else.

Tasting Notes

Amber in the glass with distinctive olive green hues — the characteristic colour of extended barrel ageing. The nose is complex and inviting: toffee and coffee, raisins and mandarin peel, with a depth and aged complexity that speaks to years of careful barrel maturation. On the palate, it is concentrated and viscous with unique and delicious flavours of rich raisin and dried date fruit, hints of citrus peel and caramel, and a lingering aged complexity that sets it apart from any other dessert wine in the store. Rich, layered, and completely compelling.

Style & Serving

Intensely rich, concentrated, and viscous with a long, complex finish. Serve lightly chilled at 12–14°C in a small glass — a little goes a very long way. Also exceptional poured over quality vanilla ice cream or used as a dessert sauce. The 500ml format is ideal for gifting or for sharing at a special occasion.

Food Pairing

The concentrated raisin and caramel depth of De Bortoli Black Noble makes it a beautiful match for Australian South Cape Greek-Style Fetta from My Meat Man. The wine's intense sweetness and aged complexity play beautifully against the salty, briny tang of fetta — whether crumbled over a Greek salad with ripe tomatoes and olives, baked with honey and thyme for a sweet-savoury starter, or served simply alongside fresh figs and walnuts as a sweet-and-savoury cheese course. Equally exceptional with Christmas pudding, sticky date pudding, dark chocolate desserts, or poured over quality vanilla ice cream.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$295 for 500ml, the De Bortoli Black Noble is one of the most compelling value propositions in the dessert wine category. A wine recognised as Best Fortified Worldwide at the Hong Kong International Wine Challenge — genuine world-class pedigree from one of Australia's most celebrated wine families, in a style that is entirely unique. The extended barrel ageing and concentrated complexity that define Black Noble are the result of decades of winemaking expertise and patience.

Looking for a Different Style?

2017 De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 375ml — the wine that Black Noble begins as; Australia's most awarded Botrytis Semillon in its classic, fresher expression.
Morris Old Premium Rare Liqueur Muscat Rutherglen — another Australian dessert wine treasure; 97pts Halliday, extraordinarily rich Rutherglen Muscat.
2017 Vasse Felix Cane Cut Semillon 375ml — a Margaret River cane-cut Semillon dessert wine; lighter, fresher, and citrus-driven.