In decades past, fortified wines including Australian ‘Port’ and ‘Sherry’ were the cornerstone of warmer regions such as the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale - However, times change, as do fashions and trends, and these wines have generally fallen out of favour.
Seppeltsfield, until relatively recently the Barossa Valley arm of Seppelt (sold to a consortium including the folks at Kilikanoon), boasts a history of fortified wine production unparallelled in Australia. This includes the famous 100-year old tawny ‘Port’, a heavenly elixir, treacle-like in texture, infinitely complex and with a finish that carries into the next decade.
In addition to a wide selection of ‘Ports’, Seppeltsfield offers a full range of Sherries; Fino, Amontillado, Cream and Oloroso.
Bottled several years ago, Seppelt’s Oloroso DP38 confirms that Sherry from the Barossa Valley can be a ringer for the fine solera-matured wines of southern Spain’s famous Sherry triangle. It is technically dry, but a touch of Pedro Ximinez adds a gentle sweetness to the front palate, and possesses the leathery rancio and polished wood characters one would expect of a good quality Oloroso.
The rich history of wine production is being continued at Seppeltsfield with a full range of traditional Australian fortified wines. A couple of years ago, the wines were given a modern packaging makeover so that they would appeal to the discerning contemporary wine drinker. Let us hope that consumers out there recognise just how good these wines can be, and that each glass contains a bit of Australian wine history.
N.V. OLOROSO DP38
Producer: Seppelt
Variety: Fortified wine - Sherry
Vintage: Non-vintage, matured in solera
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
ABV: 20.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 13 October 2011
Tasting Note:
Bright amber verging to tawny. Complex nose of polished furniture, leather, orange zest and walnuts. The palate starts with an initial sweetness, but finishes refreshingly dry. Not as complex as the nose, but this is undoubtedly an authentic ‘dry Oloroso’. Would work well with full flavoured aged hard cheeses.
Score: 16/20
Seppeltsfield, until relatively recently the Barossa Valley arm of Seppelt (sold to a consortium including the folks at Kilikanoon), boasts a history of fortified wine production unparallelled in Australia. This includes the famous 100-year old tawny ‘Port’, a heavenly elixir, treacle-like in texture, infinitely complex and with a finish that carries into the next decade.
In addition to a wide selection of ‘Ports’, Seppeltsfield offers a full range of Sherries; Fino, Amontillado, Cream and Oloroso.
Bottled several years ago, Seppelt’s Oloroso DP38 confirms that Sherry from the Barossa Valley can be a ringer for the fine solera-matured wines of southern Spain’s famous Sherry triangle. It is technically dry, but a touch of Pedro Ximinez adds a gentle sweetness to the front palate, and possesses the leathery rancio and polished wood characters one would expect of a good quality Oloroso.
The rich history of wine production is being continued at Seppeltsfield with a full range of traditional Australian fortified wines. A couple of years ago, the wines were given a modern packaging makeover so that they would appeal to the discerning contemporary wine drinker. Let us hope that consumers out there recognise just how good these wines can be, and that each glass contains a bit of Australian wine history.
N.V. OLOROSO DP38Producer: Seppelt
Variety: Fortified wine - Sherry
Vintage: Non-vintage, matured in solera
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
ABV: 20.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 13 October 2011
Tasting Note:
Bright amber verging to tawny. Complex nose of polished furniture, leather, orange zest and walnuts. The palate starts with an initial sweetness, but finishes refreshingly dry. Not as complex as the nose, but this is undoubtedly an authentic ‘dry Oloroso’. Would work well with full flavoured aged hard cheeses.
Score: 16/20
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