Prescription #2: De Bortoli Noble One, Botrytis Semillon 2003

A few weeks ago I had a serious tidy of the ‘keeping’ section of my cellar. It’s the part where you can’t stand up properly, need a torch to see anything and definitely cannot negotiate after too many drinks. My faithful drinking companion was there to assist me in the record keeping department and to hear my excited noises when I rediscovered old bottles I’d forgotten. It’s a bit like bumping into old friends, there’s a whole lot of love there but you’re not sure if you should leave them be to age gracefully or grab them by the hand and go out partying.

Most of the bottles stayed put, but we opened the 2003 Noble One, based on it’s colour. For a wine that’s only 15 years old, it is extraordinarily dark, which raised a red flag for how the wine would taste. I’m pleased to say it’s still drinking very well. Aromas of caramel and apricots, with just a smidge of kero, like the perfume of someone who has just left the room. On the palate prunes and walnuts. It’s smooth, not overly sweet or cloying like some stickies can be, and a good line of acid to balance. But the best thing is that a sticky will last in fridge for quite a while, so I’m still enjoying it a few weeks later. In fact, I’m having a little sip as I type!