Chambers Rosewood Rutherglen Muscadelle

This small, family-owner winery was established in north-eastern Victoria by the first William Chambers in 1858.  In 2001, after a highly distinguished career, Bill Chambers OAM handed over the winemaking function to his sone Stephen, making him the sixth generation of the family to make wine at Rosewood.  Today, the distinctive rose logo on the Chambers label is recognised as the benchmark of unique, fortified wines that continue to attract attention throughout the world.  In spite of the typically laconic style of the Chambers operation, Robert Parker Jnr rated Chambers Rare Muscat and Rare Muscadelle with a Perfect Score in his 2005 Wine Advocate.

Country: Australia

Region: Rutherglen, North East Victoria

Terroir: The climate is Continental. With the soil being clay loam, with the proportions of each changing depending on vineyard sites. Generally those vineyards situated on the slopes around Rutherglen tend to have a higher proportion of loam with the presence of stones, while the vineyards on the flat have a higher clay content.

Variety: Muscadelle

Acreage: 16 acres/7 hectares

Vinification:
The grapes are harvested late in the season to achieve maximum ripeness. Once the fruit is crushed and de-stemmed the must is placed directly into the press and the resultant juice is then fortified with neutral grape spirit to between 18 and 19% alcohol. The neutral spirit is used to allow the primary fruit characters of the wine to express themselves. The wine is then placed into large oak barrels for maturation.

Storage: Various oak barrels of between 500-4500 lts volume

Production: 20 tonnes 150 HL (15,000 lts)

Unlike table wines and Vintage Ports which use fruit from specific vintages, various casks of wine are aged separately. During this period the casks are assessed to determine into which wine they will be blended eventually.