De Bortoli’s Botrytis Semillon Family Reserve is a great example of Australia’s ‘stickies’, a colloquial term for their sweet, dessert-style wines. Made exclusively from 100% Sémillon grapes, the wine is made under the influence of the Botrytis Cinerea fungus, also known as ‘noble rot’. This beneficial fungus, thriving under the right climatic conditions, concentrates the sugars and flavours in the grapes, resulting in an opulent and richly complex wine.
The 2020 vintage, 9% ABV, offers a luxurious aromatic profile, dominated by notes of apricot and citrus. Its texture is exceptionally syrupy, delivering a luscious mouthfeel. The taste reveals a great interplay of apricot, candied lemon and subtle hints of vanilla, creating a smooth and continuous flavour that lingers beautifully.
This wine is a perfect pairing for fresh fruits or cheeses. I found the creamy texture of cheese complemented its sweetness exceptionally well. It would also work wonderfully with candied and spiced fruits.
At £7.50 for a half bottle from Sainsbury’s, it represents great value for such a well made wine. De Bortoli Botrytis Semillon will continue to develop its character over the next 2 to 5 years.
