Top Rated: Fortified

The stuff of dreams or, to be precise, history. With base wines reaching back 100-plus years, this offers a rare and privileged taste of extraordinary age, complexity and sheer hedonistic pleasure. Dark olive and walnut hues introduce a commanding, luscious fortified in dried fruits, caramel toffee, honey, chocolate praline, orange peel and a lasting, enticing rancio nuttiness. The art of the blender is on show, combining deep-set intensity of flavour with a remarkably clean, neutral spirit freshness. A few years back the winemaker decided to increase the aged component, putting stress on aged stocks of muscadelle. For that, we thank him. This is indeed special. 375ml. – Jeni Port