The wines below are easy to drink, but difficult to judge, most particularly as a class. Stark differences in sweetness level and style means it’s difficult to compare apples with apples, which leaves us instead judging cumquats with mandarins. That said, in a rich style, De Bortoli’s Noble One 2020 from Riverina was a clear winner at this year’s judging.
2024 Sweet Wine of the Year
De Bortoli (Riverina) Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2020, Riverina
96 points (PD*) | Price when tasted $75
Peach flesh, perfectly ripe mangoes, tangerine and persimmon. Orange blossom, lemon oil and brandy snaps. Exuberant in fresh fruit and, despite its utter luscious sweetness, still maintains very persistent acidity to carry the flavours long. A grip of ruby grapefruit pith, vanilla bean oak and sugared almonds on the finish. Beautiful now, sensational with decades in the cellar. – Shanteh Wale
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More top-rated sweet wine from the 2024 Companion
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De Bortoli (Riverina)
Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2020
Sweet | Riverina -
Rieslingfreak
No. 8 Schatzkammer Riesling 2022
Sweet | Clare Valley -
De Beaurepaire Wines
Coeur d'Or Rylstone Botrytis Semillon 2021
Sweet | Central Ranges Zone -
Delatite
Late Harvest Riesling 2022
Sweet | Upper Goulburn -
Hahndorf Hill Winery
Green Angel Late Harvest Grüner Veltliner 2021
Sweet | Adelaide Hills -
Lillypilly Estate
Museum Release Noble Blend 1st Rendition 2008
Sweet | Riverina -
Pizzini
Per gli Angeli 2013
Sweet | King Valley -
R. Paulazzo
F-1833 Riverina Botrytis Semillon 2019
Sweet | Riverina -
Pooley Wines
Butcher's Hill Cane Cut Riesling 2022
Sweet | Tasmania
The 2024 Halliday Wine Companion is available now. Secure your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide here – and at all good bookstores.
This is an edited extract from the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by James Halliday, Campbell Mattinson, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Mike Bennie, Ned Goodwin MW, Philip Rich and Shanteh Wale. Cover art by Ka Mo.
*Panel decision – score awarded by the Halliday Tasting Team at the annual Awards judging.
