Campbells Merchant Prince Rare Rutherglen Muscat

The more ancient soleras (usually the base wine is well over 60 years of age) are bottled under the “Rare” caption, and often flirt with perfection. The deep amber-colored non-vintage Rare Muscat Merchant Prince has 328 grams of residual sugar per liter, approximately 18% alcohol, and huge extract and richness. Notes of figs, marmalade, toffee, caramel, and gorgeous sweetness as well as richness are all found in this beauty.

The two rare cuvees are pure nectar. My favorite is the virtually perfect non-vintage Rare Muscat Merchant Prince. Its dark amber color is aaccompanied by an extraordinary perfume of toffee, caramels, prunes, and raisins with hints of maple syrup and soy. Although its viscosity is reminiscent of motor oil, the wine is not cloyingly sweet because of good underlying acidity as well as surprising tannin that frames this enormously endowed, sweet elixir. This stunning offering is one of Australia’s treasures.

Intensely sweet, rich and exotic, yet it retains a remarkable sense of refinement, with beautifully focused flavors of prune and dried Muscat grapes at the core, layered with espresso, sweet smoke, cardamom and ginger flavors, which echo forever on the finish.

Dense amber-colored, and incredibly unctuous is the non-vintage Rare Muscat Merchant Prince. Reeking of brandy-macerated raisins, sweet honeyed nuts, molasses, caramel, and toffee, its good underlying acidity gives uplift and vibrancy to the incredibly rich flavors. This is a remarkable effort with levels of texture and richness that must be tasted to be believed.