Appearance: Transparent dark ruby red, closer to brick red than burgundy. Aroma: Blackberry, dark cherry, plum with a red wine background. Reminiscent of port, oloroso sherry or marsala. There is a faint herbal quality as well. Flavour and Texture: Sweet fortified wine flavours (raisins, red berries) with a soft bittersweet note like tart cherries, marmalade or chinotto orange. Spicy complexity with cinnamon notes and a wisp of cloves makes it almost like mulled wine. The texture is neutral and although there is sweetness throughout it is not syrupy. A well balanced aromatised wine product that has qualities in common with sweet vermouth, Lillet rouge and some of the wine-based amari. It can be taken in a variety of ways, including neat or neat on the rocks with a slice of lemon. Dubonnet & gin is a classic from the 1930s that is the tipple of choice for many to this day. Its reputation was cemented in the UK by the Queen Mother’s love of it, a taste she passed on to the current monarch. Not as sweet and citrus-fruit forward as most Italian aparitivi, but sweeter than Lillet rouge (although a little more "fusty" tasting). In a way it’s rather like a grown-up Pimms #1 cup. The quinine presence gives this aperitif more poise and interest than others, although the level has sadly been decreased over the years. I believe that the version available in the US was different to the one in Europe and Commonwealth countries until a few years ago, when it was revamped, but it is still reputedly sweeter. A great standby and the basis for a handful of classic mixed drinks. Personally I prefer Carpano Antica when I’m after something along these lines, but Dubonnet is way less than half the price, which is hard to resist. “Good” : 84/100 (3.75 stars)