The world of fortified wines is a treasure to humankind. Not only do they offer a unique expression in the wine world they are bloody delicious and with winter's tight grip upon us still they are the perfect way to finish (or start) any evening.

​​​​​We bang the drum of this category of wine at PWS. It's something so special on so many levels and with Australia's utterly unique and benchmark offerings, you'd be crazy not to indulge. However, we always chuckle that as much as we love the wines we don't buy them as nearly as much as we should and we know you are the same.

So, to get us all back on track and fix this travesty we put together this brilliant little pack of fortified wines from around the world. Of course, a Rutherglen classic is a must with one of the best from Chambers in there and a cracking little tawny style from Barossa that is just such a treat but we wanted to include something a little unique and the Inkwell 'Sweet Jane' is an utter delight we know you will be hooked.

From further afield we have included a range of classics from France, Portugal, and Spain. Some PX is a no-brainer and the fascinating Banyuls from Chapoutiere is something you just don't see enough of. Last of course and definitely not least is the ever-impressive Warres LBV. This wine is a giant slayer and one of the best examples of its kind from one of the best in business. 

Honestly, we are pretty chuffed about this pack. There is a little bit of everything in here covering the main styles as well as some fascinating takes on the classics. We hope you enjoy!

Inkwell 'Sweet Jane' Late Harvest Fortified Viognier 2022 375ml

An insanely good fortified that melds viognier's aromatic virtuosity of peach and crystalline ginger spice with a dab of spirit to carry the exotica long and impeccably embedded into the fray. Some aldehydes lift, while a jolt of volatility energises. Jura-esque. This is lo-fi fortification as an art form. Of the highest order. It is only alchemy that can effect such sweetness as an overarching savouriness. NED GOODWIN, Halliday Wine Companion

Oh we agree! This was a bit of a revelation a couple of years ago when we first tried it. They make a zindfandel and shiraz too. While these styles are king of dying slowly it's so good to see them being revived by such conscientious producers then to do it with it viognier is just a stroke of genius! What a brilliant wine that is something truly unique taking the best of the category and spinning it into something that is an absolute delight.

Bleasdale The Wise One Tawny 750ml

Fruitcake aromas with attractive nutty complexity; a soft touch of rancio and rather laid-back acidity makes the wine a warm and friendly style for a cold winter's evening. JAMES HALLIDAY

Ok. A man of few words on this one but let me assure you that this is straight up, bloody delicious and yes, we agree its perfect for a cold winter eve. This hidden little beauty from Bleasdale is matured in small oak casks in the rafters of the winery's hot tin roof for a minimum of 7 years before blending. The result is a uniquely Aussie inspired tawny style that is so well priced you might as well by a six pack and sip it to your hearts contents all winter long and never feel guilty.

Rammed full of clove, five-spice. Licorice root, treacle, honey, plenty of baked walnut and edged with roasted brown sugar. There is that lovely edging of dried citrus peel and fruit cake mix too. Sweet and lush but not as cloying as you might think… don't get us wrong though, its sweet, and that's how we like it.

Chambers Old Vine Muscadelle 375ml

The age of the solera, the talent of the blender and a family history that goes back generations tell quite a story here. Age is obvious in the deep amber hues and the complexity and intensity of caramel, dark malt biscuit, Christmas cake and toasted nutty flavour. So smooth, so luscious. And to think this is only the second tier – equivalent to the classic level – in the Muscat of Rutherglen classification. 375ml. (95) JENI PORT, Halliday Wine Companion

The Chambers fortified are a piece of Australian history and their Old Vine Muscadelle is one of the jewels in the crown from them. Points aren't everything but this never gets below 95 from almost any reviewer and the reason is, its one of the best of its kind and a benchmark example by any standards. 

Domaine Bila Haut Banyuls 2021

Spread out on narrow and steep terraces, the Banyuls Appellation overhangs the Mediterranean sea. For more than two thousand years old, the vineyard is rooted in a stony schist soil and benefits from exceptional atmospheric conditions allowing for plush rich fruits, ripe and full of sugar but pristine and fresh. The fortification technique was devised in 1285 by Arnau de Vilanova, which stops the fermentation, and gives the Banyuls appellation there unique expression unlike anywhere else in the world.

Made from 90% of Grenache and a field blend of other grape varieties from the slopes of schisty soils coming from the Primary Era. The grapes are destemmed and crushed. The maceration is long with an addition of alcohol to favour the extraction of aromas and tannins then the wine is aged in vats from 16 to 20 months which allow for a hint of oxidisation.

Another brilliantly unique fortified from France Mediterranean coast and from one of its greatest producers in Chapoutieres. It opens with brambly black forest fruits, kirsch and crème de mure with a faint whiff of grilled nuts. Spicy and soft, gently sweet and ringing with wonderful energy that deftly manoeuvres the sweet fruits on a long and winding palate. Yum!

Valdespino PX Yellow Label 750ml

With six centuries of sherry production under their belts, Valdespino lay claim to being one of the oldest sherry bodegas in the region. The heart of Valdespino is their vineyards. One of the few bodegas to release single-vineyard wines, their Macharnudo holding is one of the grand crus of Jerez at the highest altitude and located on the famous, and sought-after bright white Albariza chalk soils. 

From their savory and fresh Manzanilla Deliciosa and Fino Inocente, to their unctuous and intense Solera 1842 and Pedro Ximenez wines, the quality is world class and the bodega still ferment a proportion of their wines in wood, adding layers of complexity to the finish product. One of the few estates that age in solera far in excess of the DO regulations for all their styles of sherry.

This is outstanding value PX with rasins, Christmas spice, grilled walnut in a lovely rich yet fresh frame. Don't get us wrong, it's sweet and delicious but still comes of with some nice bright citrus peel and orange fruit. Yum! 

Warres LBV 2009 Port 750ml

The 2009 Late Bottled Vintage Port is the new release, although hardly a new wine. It is a traditional Douro field blend, heavy on Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. It was bottled unfiltered in 2013 with a long cork after four years in cask and then held back at Warre's lodge for bottle aging before release. It comes in with 109 grams per liter of residual sugar. It's pretty spectacular. This unfiltered LBV is expressive and delicious. With the extra aging, it is also velvety and harmonious, but this certainly has power to spare the next day. It has the depth to coat the palate and fill the mouth too. With 90 minutes of air, it is very fresh, but it finally shows welcome hints of complexity. It does everything well and most things brilliantly. It should hold beautifully, at least for 20 years from its vintage date, but I'm guessing 30 may be more like it. For now, let's be a little cautious, but if you have good storage, there is no reason to worry about it anytime soon. MARK SQUIRES, The Wine Advoate

From one of Ports great houses and one of its not so hidden gems. Lets be honest, the vintage Ports of most house are exist outside the reaches of most of us mere mortals  but here is a taste of what you're missing out. OK, while not quite but a cracking little drop no doubt so do yourself a favour.