Campbells Grand Rutherglen Muscat Half Bottle 375ml, Rutherglen

Julie 'Jules' Campbell continues the winemaking and, importantly, blending tradition of her father, the late, great Colin Campbell. It's a seamless transition. The extra step up in complexity with the Grand Classification is there. So, too, the freshness of spirit that keeps everything so alive and vital. Burnished walnut in colour. Resplendent in raisin, dried fruits, toffee, rancio aged characters and treacle richness. Great depth of lusciousness, skilfully blended and clean to close. 375ml.

96 points Jeni Port for Halliday Wine Companion

Campbells is one of Rutherglen's great family names, with more than 150 years of winemaking history devoted to preserving Australia's most distinctive fortified wine tradition. Across generations, the Campbell family has perfected the art of maturing Muscat in a traditional solera system, creating wines of extraordinary richness, complexity and balance. Grand Rutherglen Muscat represents the next step in this remarkable journey, blending older parcels to produce a wine of exceptional depth and character.

The warm days and cool nights of Rutherglen provide ideal conditions for Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge, allowing the grapes to develop remarkable concentration while retaining freshness. Extended maturation in seasoned oak barrels encourages slow evaporation and gentle oxidation, building layer upon layer of flavour while maintaining balance and finesse. The result is a fortified wine of remarkable intensity without becoming cloying.

The colour is a deep burnished amber with glowing mahogany hues. Aromas of raisin, dried fig and dates are layered with toffee, orange marmalade, roasted nuts, Christmas cake spices and hints of espresso. The palate is luxuriously rich and wonderfully silky, unfolding with flavours of caramel, mocha, fruitcake and roasted hazelnut balanced by vibrant spirit freshness. The finish is exceptionally long, warming and beautifully harmonious, lingering with remarkable persistence.

A magnificent partner to sticky date pudding, pecan tart, dark chocolate, aged blue cheese or simply enjoyed on its own as a contemplative after dinner wine. Once opened it will remain in excellent condition for many months, making every glass a luxurious occasion.