96pts James Halliday — Rutherglen's Most Distinctive Fortified Style from One of Australia's Most Historic Estates

My Wine Man on Seppeltsfield

Seppeltsfield is one of Australia's most historic and celebrated wine estates — a Barossa Valley institution founded in 1851, with a heritage of fortified winemaking that is unmatched in the country. The Rutherglen range represents a different expression of the Seppeltsfield fortified tradition: wines made in the style of north-east Victoria's legendary Rutherglen region, where the Muscadelle grape — known locally as Tokay or Topaque — produces one of Australia's most distinctive and underappreciated fortified wine styles. Grand Tokay is the second-highest tier in the Rutherglen classification system, reserved for wines of exceptional age, concentration, and complexity. Where Rutherglen Muscat is all about raisin and dried fruit richness, Tokay/Topaque offers something altogether more distinctive: honey, butterscotch, and the unmistakable tea leaf character that makes it one of the most unique wine styles in the world.

Tasting Notes

Deep amber with characteristic aged hues. The nose is superb — honey, butterscotch, and the distinctive tea leaf character that defines great Rutherglen Tokay, with a complexity and depth that speaks to extended barrel ageing. On the palate, the balance is exceptional — luscious and rich, yet with a finesse and harmony that sets it apart. James Halliday notes it is more luscious than the Grand Muscat, filled with honey, butterscotch, and tea leaf, with superb balance particularly to the finish and aftertaste. 96pts James Halliday.

Style & Serving

Intensely rich, sweet, and extraordinarily complex with a finish that lasts for minutes. Serve lightly chilled at 12–14°C in a small glass.

Food Pairing

The honey, butterscotch and tea-leaf complexity of the Seppeltsfield Grand Tokay make it a magnificent match for Australian South Cape Tasmanian Fetta (Danish Style) from My Meat Man. The wine's intensely sweet, aged complexity plays beautifully against the salty, tangy character of Danish-style fetta — whether crumbled over a Greek salad with figs and walnuts, baked with honey and thyme for a sweet-savoury starter, or served with dark chocolate and toffee desserts for the ultimate dessert finale.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$253 for 500ml, the Seppeltsfield Grand Tokay Rutherglen is one of the most extraordinary value propositions in the dessert wine category. A 96-point James Halliday wine from one of Australia's most historic estates — a Grand-classified Rutherglen Tokay of exceptional age and complexity, in a wine style that is entirely unique to Australia.

Looking for a Different Style?

Morris Old Premium Rare Liqueur Muscat Rutherglen — the Muscat counterpart; 97pts Halliday, the legendary Rare-tier.
De Bortoli Show Liqueur Muscat 500ml — a more accessible Show-tier Rutherglen-style Muscat.
2017 De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 375ml — Australia's most awarded Botrytis Semillon; lighter and more citrus-driven.