Stanton & Killeen Classic Rutherglen Muscat NV

The colour is like dark, caramelised butter with aromas of Turkish delight, tobacco and espresso. The palate is balanced and complex with flavours of rich raisin fruit, rose petal, dried fig and cumquat. The finish is long but not too sweet. The Classic range is the perfect balance of old and new material expertly blended with an average age of 12 years. It is the second tier of the four classifications, Rutherglen, Classic, Grand and Rare.

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Viticulture

Muscat grapes are picked at optimum ripeness, with high levels of natural grape sugar and the flavours that come from extended ripening.

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Vinification

Muscat grapes are picked at optimum ripeness, with high levels of natural grape sugar and the flavours that come from extended ripening. Once picked, they are crushed and kept on skins until fermentation commences, at which point they are quickly pressed and fortified with grape spirit. This early fortification preserves the natural sugars while the short fermentation releases additional flavour from the skins. Once fortified, the wine is stored in large oak casks for three to four years before we assess which of the classifications it fits into. Wines that show “Classic” potential are kept apart in large oak for another few years until they enter the first stage of our modified solera system, where each year wines are drawn off and added to older collections.

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Recommendation

Perfect as an after-dinner drink with an espresso and dark chocolate. An essential accompaniment to any Christmas celebration.