Red Wine Torbreck Descendant 2018. Decant for an hour before serving. Torbreck winery has had a meteoric rise to success. It began as an idea in the mind of David Powell, while he toiled at Rockford winery under the employment of Robert O’Callaghan. It was officially founded in 1994 and has since grown into one of Australia’s leading premium wineries. In 2005, it was named by Robert Parker as one of the top 100 wine estates in the entire world. The winery sources its grapes from a pool of multi-generational growers, who own top-quality vineyards scattered around the Barossa region. The Descendant, however, is a single-vineyard wine, originating from a parcel of vines next to Torbreck’s headquarters in Marananga. They were planted in 1994, from cuttings of the vines used to create Torbreck’s very first bottle of RunRig. A dark, viscous red in the glass, Descendant is packed with intense black fruit scents, cushioned by delicate hints of cinnamon and herbs. On the palate, it shows a fantastic concentration of black cherry, blueberry and notes of lavender. The tannins are lithe, adding tension and great structure. This is a generous and rewarding wine – it can be enjoyed immediately, but will also benefit from a period of cellaring. Pair it with dense gamey meats, lamb, goat, or aged cheeses.
2018
Red Wine Torbreck Descendant 2018
Red Wine Torbreck RunRig 2018. Cellar for 30 years or more. Decant for an hour or two before serving. Torbreck is one of Australia’s premium wineries, producing an amazing range of Rhone Valley-style reds. Founder David Powell manages to create New World wines with a distinctly European sense of place. The winery’s headquarters can be found in Marananga, in the Barossa range, on the 12-hectare piece of land where Powell steeped his first batch of Torbreck wine. Torbreck Vintners sources its fruits from several independent growers, whose families have tended vineyards for generations. RunRig is assembled from 6 different vineyards within Barossa, from vines that are well over a century old. Composed of 98% Shiraz with a drop of Viognier, Runrig has also been named by Wine Spectator as one of Australia’s 25 benchmark wines. Bold black fruits make a strong impression on the nose, with a subtle background of cacao bean and aniseed. As you would expect from a Shiraz of this calibre, the RunRig is complex, full-bodied and dry, with a decadent, silky mouthfeel. On the palate, it shows a deep well of black fruit flavours – plum, blackberry and chocolate intermingle with firm tannins. RunRig is a potent wine and perfect for long-term cellaring. It is worthy of pairing with some lavish meals, such as rich blue cheeses or a choice leg of lamb.
2018
Red Wine Torbreck The Steading 2018. Decant for up to an hour before serving. Founded in 1994 by David Powell, Torbreck has become one of the leading wine estates in Australia and is nigh unbeatable in terms of quality. Terroir and a sense of place are extremely important at Torbreck. The winery brings European sensibilities to its amazing range of Barosso region wines. Torbreck’s fruits come from a variety of independent growers across the Barosso Range, many of whom have been growing vines for several generations. The winery is influenced heavily by the Rhone Valley and largely focuses on Southern French varietals, including Grenache, Syrah, and Mataro, the ingredients for this Chateauneuf-du-Pape-inspired red blend. The Steading shows a stunningly clear nose of red fruits, such as pomegranate, cranberry and hedgerow raspberries. The bouquet has a pleasant earthy foundation, gained from mineral-rich soils and the Mataró grape. Darker fruits envelop the tongue with flavours of cherry and blackberry jam. They are complemented by elements of spice, aniseed, black olive, and flawlessly balanced acidity. It is a perfect mouthful that defines Torbreck’s approach to wine-making. Pair it with barbecued meats or vegetables, a hearty, hot stew or a spicy Gorgonzola.
2018