Grand Muscat - Limited Stock

Alcohol: 18.2 %
Glucose & Fructose: 317.8g/L
pH: 3.47
TA: 6.2 g/ L

Muscat is made from the variety muscat à petits grains, which can range in colour from a green (white) grape through to black. The particular colour favoured for muscat production in Rutherglen is reddish-brown and is often referred to as muscat à petits grains rouge.

Prior to 2015 the fruit was hand harvested now it is machine harvested. Fruit is harvested at higher baumés (16º Bé plus preferred). The grapes are then de-stemmed with the resultant must and recovered raisons are placed into tank. Depending upon the disease status the must is either inoculated with yeast or a wild ferment allowed. Only a partial fermentation of the juice is undertaken (usually 2º to 3º Bé depending upon initial fruit ripeness). The fermentation will add colour and complexity to the wine. We tend to find that there is an increase in baumé in the initial 24 to 72 hours due liberation of sugar from raison rehydration, thus enabling a longer fermentation.

Once desired amount of sugar has been fermented, the must is placed into the press for juice extraction. The fermenting juice obtained is fortified with neutral grape spirit referred to as SVR (~ 96% alcohol) to 16% alcohol to arrest the fermentation. A neutral spirit is chosen to enable the fruit expression of the variety. The resultant wine is then transferred to tank for settling prior to crossflow filtration. After which the alcohol is adjusted to 18% and transferred into old, large casks for aging. The cask volume may vary from 900 litres up to 5000 litres.

Individual vintages and vineyards are kept as separate wines until blending. Only wines of very good quality to excellent are selected for the Grand Muscat. Age is not considered a determinant of quality. The Grand Muscat is produced using a modified solera (see below) established in the 1930’s by William Henry Chambers (Will) 3rd generation. The Grand Muscat has had extensive work put into it over the last 15 years to help maintain quality and consistency.

The wine is bottled on demand to ensure the best product possible.

James Suckling
2023 Rating

Picked late and muted with spirit early, this maker is among the top three leading lights in Rutherglen and with that, among the greatest producers of complex, unforgettable fortified wines in the world. Riveting aromas of mulled date, molasses, clove, star anise and hoisin, placated with the warming hearth of roasted chestnuts and a suggestion, rather than a tilt, of rancio blue cheese. Brilliant gear, ready to drink into eternity. It will never die. Screw cap. Ned Goodwin MW

Halliday Wine Companion
2023 Rating: 96 2021 Rating: 96 2019 Rating: 95 points

“A dense mahogany hue, suggesting prodigious age across the blend of wines contributing to this kaleidoscope of textures, aromas and flavour. Cedar, varnish, grape, spice, date rosewater, given life by a rancio walnut tang. Immense. Exotic. Paradoxically, savoury.” Halliday Wine Companion

James Suckling
2023 Rating: 97

Halliday Wine Companion
2025 Rating: 96
2023 Rating: 96
2021 Rating: 96
2019 Rating: 95 points

Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide
96 Points

TEXSOM International Wine Awards 'Platinum'

Wine & Spirits Magazine Top 100 Wineries
93 Points Australian Fortified Wine Show 'Silver'

Decanter World Wine Awards (UK) 2021 Rating: 97