Fortified suggestions

ChrisV · Post by **ChrisV** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:07 am

I'm a bit of a fortified newbie, having had a very bad experience with brandy just after I started drinking, I couldn't stomach port for a long time, and I've never really liked muscat. But recently I had Pertaringa's "Full Fronti" Frontinac fortified and really enjoyed it. I have also enjoyed glasses of good tawnies I've had - the Great Grandfather for instance - and would like to find something like that at less than the price of the Great Grandfather

I'm now looking to sample another fortified. My only criterion is that it has to be fully oxidised so I can leave it open for as long as I want, as my liver needs all the rest it can get. So no vintage ports. Other than that, tawnies, frontis, sweet sherries and maybe even muscats will be considered. Price point $20-$70. Have at it!

JamieH · Post by **JamieH** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:30 am

ChrisV
I've always thought Penfolds Bluestone for $20 was outstanding value for money. also like De Bortli Old Boys, Knappstein Fortified Shiraz, Seppeltsfield Para (any of their muscat and tokays are great too) and Osborne Tawny Port (Oporto). Enjoy!

Cheers
Jamie

dave vino · Post by **dave vino** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:15 am

Rutherglen Tokay's.

Campbells
http://www.auswine.com.au/product.asp?P ... CtgID=1027
http://www.auswine.com.au/product.asp?P ... CtgID=1027

Morris
http://www.auswine.com.au/product.asp?P ... CtgID=1027

Stanton & Killeen
Chambers
Buller

They have different classifications so are budgeted for everyone.

The only issue is they lose their freshness after a few weeks but they come in small half bottles so polishing off one in a week shouldn't be an issue.

malliemcg · Post by **malliemcg** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:18 am

My wife got into the fortifieds by way of the Kay's Amery ones - There is a Tawny and a Muscat around $20 for 375mL bottles. I rather enjoy them as well.

.

Loztralia · Post by **Loztralia** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:37 am

I am an enormous fan of the Sandalford Sandalera. It's not cheap at just under $100 a bottle but it's a proper luxury drop, very decadent and well worth a go in my view. Even my fiancee, who never touches a sweet wine or a port, loves it. Incidentally, last time we were at the winery they said the vines are having to come up soon so there's probably only a year or two of supply left.

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:14 pm

dave vino wrote:Rutherglen Tokay's.

Campbells
http://www.auswine.com.au/product.asp?P ... CtgID=1027
http://www.auswine.com.au/product.asp?P ... CtgID=1027

Morris
http://www.auswine.com.au/product.asp?P ... CtgID=1027

Stanton & Killeen
Chambers
Buller

They have different classifications so are budgeted for everyone.

The only issue is they lose their freshness after a few weeks but they come in small half bottles so polishing off one in a week shouldn't be an issue.

Don't forget Seppelts Rutherglen Muscats and Tokays, or indeed their range of port styles.

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:29 pm

Loztralia wrote:I am an enormous fan of the Sandalford Sandalera. It's not cheap at just under $100 a bottle but it's a proper luxury drop, very decadent and well worth a go in my view. Even my fiancee, who never touches a sweet wine or a port, loves it. Incidentally, last time we were at the winery they said the vines are having to come up soon so there's probably only a year or two of supply left.

That will be their second solera then. The original had material in it that was over 75 years old and used to be sold in 750ml bottles for around $25. They started bottling from a new batch in around 1995 to 1998 from memory and swapped at that time to the half bottles for $90.

They have been threatening to pull those pedro vines for the last 15 years and I thought they had gone some time ago.

Tucker Wine Studios · Post by **Tucker Wine Studios** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:12 pm

Hi ChrisV,

Good stuff, Pertaringa's Full Fronti! And indeed, Sandalsford's Sandalera is great, too.

Please let me add to the recommendation list Wayne Dutschke's fortifieds. He makes a Muscat, a Tokay, and a 22YO Tawny - all gorgeous!
http://www.dutschkewines.com/

Gavin has the tawny but only as 6 pack?
http://www.auswine.com.au/product.asp?P ... CtgID=1026

If you live in Perth look out for Talijancich, if you are in Adelaide you MUST visit Seppeltsfield.

And Turkey Flat's PX (Barossa) is great...and The Settlement Wine Co. in McLaren Vale has some sweet treasures.

And please report about your new fortified discoveries.

Cheers,
Mario

Sharkey · Post by **Sharkey** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:18 pm

Chambers Muscat
Last time I bought this it was $32 for a 2 litre flagon - truly one of the wine bargains of the world. Where else can you get a 95 Robert Parker points wine for about $12 a 750ml bottle.

(Not that I pay any attention to Parker points - except that anything Parker gives good points to usually becomes over-priced.)

JamieH · Post by **JamieH** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:22 pm

Davo, Fosters in their infinte wisdom sold Seppelts fortified wing last year, keep the still wines and sparkles. its all been rebranded seppeltsfield now in slick new packaging. Still wondering what the new owners are going to do with all that 100+ old vintage stocks, so far i haven't seen any straight vintage para.

Don't forget Seppelts Rutherglen Muscats and Tokays, or indeed their range of port styles

Nayan · Post by **Nayan** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:32 pm

JamieH wrote:Davo, Fosters in their infinte wisdom sold Seppelts fortified wing last year, keep the still wines and sparkles. its all been rebranded seppeltsfield now in slick new packaging. Still wondering what the new owners are going to do with all that 100+ old vintage stocks, so far i haven't seen any straight vintage para.
Don't forget Seppelts Rutherglen Muscats and Tokays, or indeed their range of port styles

FWIW the Seppeltsfield stickies were being shown on the FWE stand at the Australia Day tasting in London (didn't get to try them though).

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:44 pm

JamieH wrote:Davo, Fosters in their infinte wisdom sold Seppelts fortified wing last year, keep the still wines and sparkles. its all been rebranded seppeltsfield now in slick new packaging. Still wondering what the new owners are going to do with all that 100+ old vintage stocks, so far i haven't seen any straight vintage para.
Don't forget Seppelts Rutherglen Muscats and Tokays, or indeed their range of port styles

I was at Seppeltsfield in November. They still have all the same fortifieds on sale just different labelling. I heard a whisper that they are still contracted to supply to Seppelts. James Godfrey is still in charge of the forts so hopefully the quality will continue. Some good moves afoot, eg the purchase and use of a couple of lagares in the traditional manner, complete with chants.

With the 100yo para they just doubled the price. This came as somewhat of a shock to me at the till as I had bought a half bottle of the 1908 without asking the price and nearly fainted when I saw the till slip. "Yes sir, it is $1000.00." Oh and the bottle shape will be different as they can no longer get the old shape from their supplier.

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 7:04 am

Davo wrote:With the 100yo para they just doubled the price. This came as somewhat of a shock to me at the till as I had bought a half bottle of the 1908 without asking the price and nearly fainted when I saw the till slip. "Yes sir, it is $1000.00." Oh and the bottle shape will be different as they can no longer get the old shape from their supplier.

But you still bought it anyway?

griff · Post by **griff** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:37 pm

Wayno wrote:
Davo wrote:With the 100yo para they just doubled the price. This came as somewhat of a shock to me at the till as I had bought a half bottle of the 1908 without asking the price and nearly fainted when I saw the till slip. "Yes sir, it is $1000.00." Oh and the bottle shape will be different as they can no longer get the old shape from their supplier.

But you still bought it anyway?

Jancis liked it. Gave it a 20

cheers

Carl

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:56 pm

Wayno wrote:
Davo wrote:With the 100yo para they just doubled the price. This came as somewhat of a shock to me at the till as I had bought a half bottle of the 1908 without asking the price and nearly fainted when I saw the till slip. "Yes sir, it is $1000.00." Oh and the bottle shape will be different as they can no longer get the old shape from their supplier.

But you still bought it anyway?

Some idiot had started a family tradition of buying these in the grandchildren's birth year (+100 of course). I just hope that there are not too many more on the horizon :cry:

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:25 pm

That's a tradition that will pay off handsomely, granted.

brigourmet · Post by **brigourmet** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 7:24 pm

Fortified wines are the best value drop in the country!

The Barossa is definitely the place to go for a range of styles and ages, thought I may be biased as I grew up there. If you like the 'Full Fronti' style I recommend trying the fortified Semillon from boutique winery LiebichWein. They have a 3 year and 15 year old style, you can even buy the younger stuff by the litre to age your own at home.

Other places for sweet tooths' to go include Kies, Kellermeister and Kabminye.