Campbells Rutherglen Muscat: seasonal wine of the day

This year, for the first time, an Australian wine scored 100 points in The Wine Spectator.  It was a fortified wine and, if you’ve read my tasting notes from the Landmark Tutorial fortified session (here), you might wonder why it took so long!

From Australia’s Rutherglen region, Campbells 100 pointer, the Merchant Prince Rare Rutherglen Muscat, is at the top of a regional classification system for Muscat and Topaque (Tokay) which reflects the constituent wines’ (increasing) average age.  But step down from the top “Rare” rung to “Grand”, “Classic” and even the foundation level “Rutherglen Muscat” or “Rutherglen Topaque,” and you’re unlikely to be disappointed.  Crafted by families who have specialised in the genre for generations, these are generous wines, lingering and intense, with great depth of flavour.  

At around £80/half bottle, The Merchant Prince is rare treat territory but, for an eighth of its price the entry level Muscat, which picked up Gold Medals at Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine Challenge this year, represents great value for money.  It’s widely available too.  Here’s my tasting note:

Campbells Rutherglen Muscat – bottled under screwcap, this has a lovely floral nose and palate.  Though toothsomely sweet, with buttered popcorn and caramel to its raisin fruit, younger vine fruit/younger wines keep it balanced and fresh.  Served lightly chilled.  Very good.  While a richer Rare or Grand Rutherglen Muscat might be a fine substitute for mince pies and Christmas pud, this is the perfect lubricant!  £9.45 (half bottle) at Slurp* and £9.49 at Waitrose (where it’s due to be on promotion at £7.99 from 5^th – 25^th January). 

* See here to find out about a 15% discount at Slurp.