Chambers Rosewood Old Vine Rutherglen Muscat

Chambers Rosewood Old Vine Rutherglen Muscat

 

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Chambers Rosewood
Old Vine Rutherglen Muscat
  • Vintage : 0
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : Victoria
  • Subregion : Rutherglen
  • Type : Sweet
  • Style :
  • Format : 37.5cl
  • Alcohol : 19°
  • Grappes : 100% Muscat

A true treasure from Rutherglen, this Old Vine Muscat is a symphony of rich, luscious flavors crafted with over a century of winemaking tradition.

Experts Score Vintage
WS Wine Spectator 95 NV
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Hailing from the renowned Rutherglen region in Victoria, Australia, this wine reflects the legacy of one of the most respected fortified wine areas in the world. Known for its Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge, the region benefits from a continental climate, fostering concentrated fruit flavors and vibrant acidity.

The vineyards utilized for the Old Vine Muscat include some of the oldest vines in the region, aged between 30 and over 100 years. These old vines yield small quantities of intensely flavored fruit, forming the backbone of this exceptional wine. The unique reddish-brown Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge variety thrives here, contributing to the wine’s distinct character.

Winemaking

Crafted from Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge, this wine is made using both modern and traditional techniques. Grapes are harvested at high Baumé levels (16°+), ensuring concentrated sugar and flavor. The must undergoes a partial fermentation, stopping at the desired sweetness by fortifying with neutral grape spirit to 16% alcohol.

The wine is aged in a three-stage solera system, with large casks and barrels varying in size and age, building layers of complexity. Some components of the solera date back over a century, and the wine is blended from vintages ranging from 30 to over 100 years old. This intricate aging process imparts depth, balance, and a seamless integration of fruit and oxidative notes.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Tawny with a reddish-brown hue.
  • Aromas: A captivating bouquet of raisins, rose petals, dried fruits, and subtle wood-aged nuances.
  • Palate: Rich and opulent, with flavors of fruitcake, rose petals, raisins, and a touch of toffee. The vibrant fruitiness is balanced by a fresh, clean finish with a hint of dryness, showcasing both youthful energy and mature complexity.

Did you know?

This Old Vine Muscat is the youngest average age in Chambers’ solera system yet embodies remarkable complexity. It introduces wine lovers to the profound depth of Rutherglen’s fortified wines, which are considered among the world’s finest.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Sticky date pudding: Complements the wine’s toffee and raisin notes while balancing its sweetness.
  • Aged blue cheese: The rich, creamy texture and pungency contrast beautifully with the Muscat's sweet fruitiness.
  • Rum and raisin ice cream: Highlights the wine’s rum-like undertones and dried fruit flavors.
  • Dark chocolate tart: Accentuates the Muscat's deep fig and caramel nuances.

History of Chambers Rosewood

Founded by the Chambers family in 1858, Chambers Rosewood stands as a testament to Australian winemaking heritage. The winery has remained a family-run enterprise for over 160 years, with winemaking skills and traditions carefully passed down through six generations. The current custodian, Stephen Chambers, took over in 2001 from his father, Bill Chambers, one of Australia’s most respected wine figures. Bill's dedication to preserving and enhancing the winery’s fortified wine production earned him a lasting legacy as a leader in the field.

Chambers Rosewood's success is rooted in its unique approach to crafting fortified wines. The family’s cellar houses stocks of Muscat and Muscadelle that have matured for over a century, making them some of the oldest and most prestigious fortified wines in the world. These wines, blended with material aged in a modified solera system established in the 1890s, embody a blend of history, tradition, and innovation. Their Rare Muscats and Muscadelles have achieved legendary status, often earning perfect scores from international critics.

The winery’s enduring reputation is bolstered by its commitment to quality and consistency, ensuring that every bottle reflects the excellence that has defined the Chambers family for generations. The blending expertise honed over the decades allows them to craft wines with unparalleled depth, complexity, and balance, securing their position as one of Australia’s most iconic producers.

Region and Vineyards

The Rutherglen region, situated in Victoria, Australia, is synonymous with fortified wine excellence. Nestled on the floodplain of the Murray River, the region boasts deep alluvial soils rich in nutrients and with excellent moisture retention. The red loam soils, lying atop a clay base, are particularly well-suited to growing Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge and Muscadelle, the flagship varieties for Rutherglen fortified wines.

The region’s continental climate plays a pivotal role in the production of these wines. Hot summer days provide the heat necessary to develop intense sugar levels in the grapes, while the cool nights help preserve acidity, ensuring a balance between sweetness and freshness. As the season progresses into the warm autumn, the grapes naturally shrivel on the vine, further concentrating their flavors and sugars, a key characteristic of Rutherglen fortified wines.

The vineyards at Chambers Rosewood include some vines that are over a century old, planted on a single-wire trellis system. This system allows the fruit to achieve optimal ripeness while supporting the sprawling canopies necessary for protecting the grapes from excessive heat. Harvest typically occurs from early March to early May, with late-harvested fruit attaining the desired 16° Bé and higher, essential for crafting the rich, sweet wines that define Rutherglen’s signature style. The result is fruit of exceptional quality, providing the foundation for the winery’s world-renowned Muscats and Muscadelles.

Wine Range of Chambers Rosewood

  • The Rutherglens: Blended from material aged 6 to 10 years, these wines are fresh and vibrant, showcasing the rich fruit and clean spirit that form the foundation of the Rutherglen style.

  • The Grands: Blended from material dating back to World War I, the Grand Muscat and Grand Muscadelle exhibit extraordinary complexity, pronounced rancio notes, and a luxurious mouthfeel.

  • The Rares: Crafted from material over 100 years old, these wines are the pinnacle of Chambers’ production. Featuring an olive rim and a treacle-like palate, they deliver exceptional aromatic complexity, balance, and persistence.

Did you know?

The solera system used to age Chambers’ wines was established in the 1890s, and it is believed that some of the original wine still remains in the barrels. The careful maintenance of these ancient stocks ensures that every release captures a piece of winemaking history.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 95 Points (NV)
Powerful, with wave after wave of salted caramel, tobacco, amaretto, vanilla bean, toast and spice notes. Dense, unctuous and syrupy, this avoids cloying qualities on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2030.

Chambers Rosewood Rutherglen Muscat 0
Chambers Rosewood Rutherglen Muscat 0
Chambers Rosewood
Rutherglen Muscat
WS
90
RP
90
JH
90
The Chambers Rosewood Rutherglen Muscat is a gateway to the world of Australian fortified wines, blending fresh aromatics with the hallmark richness of the style.
19,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Chambers Rosewood Grand Muscat 0
Chambers Rosewood Grand Muscat 0
Chambers Rosewood
Grand Muscat
WS
93
RP
93
WE
97
A masterpiece of balance and depth, this Grand Muscat offers a kaleidoscope of flavors, textures, and aromas, making it a true icon of Australian fortified wines.
63,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Chambers Rosewood Old Vine Muscadelle 0
Chambers Rosewood Old Vine Muscadelle 0
Chambers Rosewood
Old Vine Muscadelle
ST
99
A showcase of Rutherglen’s fortified wine mastery, Chambers Rosewood Old Vine Muscadelle offers an exquisite balance of roasted nut, toffee, and mocha notes with a luscious texture.
33,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Chambers Rosewood Rare Muscat 0
Chambers Rosewood Rare Muscat 0
Chambers Rosewood
Rare Muscat
RP
99
Chambers Rosewood Rare Muscat is a treasure of Australian winemaking, delivering a symphony of concentrated flavors, elegance, and freshness, perfected over more than a century.
250,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Chambers Rosewood Rare Muscadelle 0
Chambers Rosewood Rare Muscadelle 0
Chambers Rosewood
Rare Muscadelle
RP
98
Chambers Rosewood Rare Muscadelle is a masterpiece of Rutherglen’s fortified wine heritage, offering extraordinary depth, intensity, and a taste of history in every sip.
250,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
33,50 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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