R.L. Buller & Son from Rutherglen has received the near impossible and achieved 100 out of 100 from the world's most influential wine critic, American Robert Parker, for their Calliope Rare Muscat - a wine that is a blend of very old material with some components dating back to the 1930's.

Robert Parker is known internationally as the man who can make or break the reputation of a winery from Rutherglen to Bordeaux. Last year in his publication The Wine Advocate, he gave earlier releases of the Calliope Tokay and Muscat 99/100 and Buller's sales of fortified wines in the USA increased by an incredible 500%.

Parker described the Calliope Rare Muscat as "an extraordinary beverage with layers of flavour and constantly changing aromatics of brown sugar, fig, molasses and Lord knows what else". He also gave the Fine Old Range of Muscat and Tawny 94 and 92 stating that at the price ($A18-20) they were "a steal!"

Aside from the imminent sales benefits, third generation winemaker Andrew Buller is ecstatic with the result: "Of course we believe we make excellent fortified wines but such recognition is outstanding. We hope more people will rediscover fortified wines which are one of Australia's great wine treasures."

Andrew has completed vintages in France, New Zealand and, perhaps the most significant to his craft, four vintage at Taylors of Portugal - one of the oldest producers of fortified wine dating back to 1893.

"Our greatest asset is the skills that have been passed down over 82 years. I see my role as a guardian and caretaker of the family soleras. Fashion comes and goes, profits won and lost, my duty is to pass onto the next generation the legacy of these sleeping giants," Andrew said.

After a distinguished career in the Royal Australian Navy, Andrew's grandfather Reginald Langdon Buller took up land in Rutherglen in 1921 and named the first vineyard 'Calliope' after the British warship from A.B. (Banjo) Patterson's 'Ballad of the Calliope'. It is from this old vineyard that these wines draw their greatness.

The Wine Advocate is due out next week.

The wines are available Australia wide from discerning retailers and direct from the R.L. Buller & Son cellar doors at Rutherglen 02 60329660 and Beverford 03 50376305.