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Home | Producers | Torbreck

Torbreck

www.torbreck.com


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Torbreck In Wine Advocate
Country of Origin: Australia
Location: Barossa Valley
People: David Powell, Owner & Chief Winemaker | Craig Isbel, Winemaker


Low yielding, old and dry grown Barossa Valley vineyards are the cornerstone of Torbreck Vintners where traditional, manual winemaking methods and minimal intervention are combined to produce a variety of wines each year. The growers they work with have been selected for their unique vineyard sites and spartan approach to viticulture - Torbreck wines are concentrated in the vineyards, not in the winery.

Torbreck Vintners is named after a Scottish forest where its founder worked as a lumberjack. The roots go back to 1992 when Dave Powell, who was then working at Rockford, began to discover and clean up a few sections of dry-grown old vines. Near lifeless, he nurtured them back to health and was rewarded with small parcels of fruit that he made into wine. Dave was able to secure a contract for the supply of grapes from a run-down but ancient Shiraz vineyard. He managed to raise enough money to share-farm the vineyard, a practice which involves paying the owner a percentage of the market rate for his grapes in return for totally managing the vineyard. This share-farming principle enabled Torbreck to use fruit from the very best vineyards in the Barossa Valley, which is home to some of the most precious old vines in the world.

'Dave Powell, unquestionably one of the world's finest wine producers, has an uncanny ability to discover old vine Barossa vineyards, and then secure long term contracts for their fruit.'The Wine Advocate Issue #161 (October 2005) Robert Parker.

The Torbreck endeavour is based around the classic Barossa Valley varietals of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro, and a love for the wines of France's Rhone Valley. Dave loves the intense, rich, Rhone-like flavors that come from old-vines and the fact that Shiraz and Grenache are the mainstay red grapes of the Northern and Southern Rhone often draws comparison. Torbreck doesn't only make red wines though, they have Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne planted on estate winery block which is blended to make a white wine for the last 2 years.




Items
Torbreck 2008 Semillon 'Woodcutter's' Net Price Reviews Downloads
Torbreck 2009 Semillon 'Woodcutter's' Net Price — — New!
Torbreck 2008 Viognier Roussanne Marsanne Net Price Reviews —
Torbreck 2008 'Cuvee Juveniles' (G/S/Mataro) Net Price Reviews Downloads
Torbreck 2006 'Descendant' (Shiraz/Viognier) Net Price Reviews Downloads
Torbreck 2006 Grenache 'Les Amis' Net Price Reviews Downloads
Torbreck 2006 Mataro 'The Pict ' Net Price Reviews Downloads
Torbreck (1.5 LTR) 2005 'RunRig' (Shiraz/Viognier) Net Price — Downloads
Torbreck (1.5 LTR) 2004 Shiraz 'The Factor' Net Price Reviews —
Torbreck 2006 Shiraz 'The Factor' Net Price Reviews Downloads
Torbreck 2006 Shiraz 'The Struie' Net Price — Downloads
Torbreck (1.5 LTR) 2006 Shiraz 'The Struie' Net Price Reviews —
Torbreck 2008 Shiraz 'Woodcutter's' Net Price Reviews Downloads
Torbreck 2006 'The Steading' (G/S/Mataro) Net Price Reviews Downloads
Torbreck (375 ml) 2008 Muscat Blanc a petits grains 'The Bothie' Net Price Reviews Downloads
Torbreck (375 ml) 2009 Muscat Blanc a petits grains 'The Bothie' Net Price Reviews Downloads
Reviews
Torbreck 2008 Shiraz 'Woodcutter's'
Rating: 90

Inky purple. Intense cassis and blueberry on the nose, with building spiciness and a sexy floral quality. Richer than usual for this bottling, offering sweet black and blue fruit flavors and solid tannins. Rich but not overly heavy, finishing with very good breadth and juicy persistence. This includes lots of fruit that is normally destined for Torbreck's flagship Run Rig, as that wine wasn't made in 2008.

- International Wine Cellar (7/1/2010)

Torbreck (375 ml) 2009 Muscat Blanc 'The Bothie'
Rating: 90

Pale, greenish straw. Shy aromas of green apple, white peach and nectarine, with a subtle spicy note in the background. Juicy pit fruit flavors are enlivened by lemon rind and orange, which mitigate the wine's luscious, sweet qualities. Lively for a sweet wine, finishing with excellent clarity and a lingering note of peach nectar.

- International Wine Cellar (7/1/2010)

Torbreck (1.5 LTR) 2004 Shiraz 'The Factor'
Rating: 87

Dark and spicy, with a strong orange peel character to the black cherry and licorice flavors, picking up a gamy note as the finish lingers. The tannins are crisp and need time to soften. Shiraz. Best after 2008. 1,200 cases made.

- The Wine Spectator (10/15/2007)

Torbreck (1.5 LTR) 2004 Shiraz 'The Factor'
Rating: 94

Opaque ruby. Powerful dark berry liqueur aromas are complemented by a kaleidoscopic array of fresh and dried flowers, incense, Asian spices and vanilla. Suave and silky in texture, with explosive blackberry and mulberry flavors complemented by exotic spice and floral qualities. Finishes with superbly integrated tannins and outstanding persistence, leaving sexy spice and mocha notes in its wake.

- International Wine Cellar (8/1/2007)

Torbreck 2006 'The Steading' (G/S/Mataro)
Rating: 92

Deep, bright red. Wide-open on the nose, offering seductive raspberry, candied cherry, floral and Asian spice aromas, along with a subtle smoky undertone. Fleshy and sweet on the palate, offering vivid red and dark berry flavors and an exotic sweet tobacco quality. Candied floral notes build through the long, sweet finish, where fine-grained tannins make a late appearance. Already quite seductive.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2008)

Torbreck (1.5 LTR) 2006 Shiraz 'The Struie'
Rating: 92

Opaque ruby. Exotically perfumed, pungent bouquet of dark berries, smoky minerals and floral oils. Sexy cola and vanilla flavors complement sweet black raspberry and cassis on the palate, with dusty tannins adding grip. The fruit ultimately sucks up the tannins on the finish, which is seductively sweet and very long. Appealing already but I'd give this deep, suave wine at least another four or five years in the cellar.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2008)

Torbreck 2006 Les Amis (Grenache)
Rating: 92

Ripe and generous, offering a supple mouthful of cherry, black pepper, bacon and spice flavors that rocket through a layer of fine tannins. The spices, including cardamom and anise seed, come through strongly on the finish. Drink now through 2017. 300 cases made.

- The Wine Spectator (1/31/2010)

Torbreck (375 ml) 2008 'The Bothie' (Muscat Blanc)
Rating: 89

The 2008 The Bothie is made from Muscat Blanc. Enticing aromas of baking spices, mineral, floral, and tropical notes lead to a light-bodied, off-dry, quaffable wine that seems best suited for use as an aperitif. Drink it over the next 12-18 months.

- The Wine Advocate (12/15/2009)

Torbreck 2008 Cuvee Juveniles (G/S/Mataro)
Rating: 90

The 2008 Cuvee Juveniles, a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Shiraz, and 20% Mataro raised in tank. Dark ruby-colored, it presents an alluring aromatic array of spice box, incense, and black cherry compote. Ripe, sweet, pure, and easy to understand, this forward, friendly effort can be enjoyed now and over the next 3 years.

- The Wine Advocate (12/15/2009)

Torbreck 2008 Roussanne Marsanne
Rating: 91

The 2008 Viognier (50%)-Marsanne (40%)-Roussanne (10%) reveals a fragrant perfume of spring flowers, mineral, honey, wax, and stone fruits. Ripe on the palate with spicy, savory fruit, it has considerable complexity and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.

- The Wine Advocate (12/15/2009)

Torbreck 2008 Woodcutter Semillon
Rating: 90

The current collection includes three white wines beginning with the 2008 Woodcutter’s Semillon. It displays an excellent nose of wax, lanolin, mineral, and melon that jumps from the glass. Smooth textured, concentrated, vibrant, and savory, this well-balanced effort will drink well for another 3-4 years.

- The Wine Advocate (12/15/2009)

Torbreck 2008 Cuvee Juveniles (G/S/Mataro)
Rating: 90

Supple and silky, this is distinctive for an herbal edge to its dark cherry and chocolate flavors, lingering beautifully. Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. Drink now through 2015. 5,000 cases made.

- The Wine Spectator (12/15/2009)

Torbreck 2008 Woodcutter Semillon
Rating: 90

Bright yellow-gold. Pear skin and melon aromas, complicated by pungent herbs, lemon zest and almond. Dry but fleshy, with sweet orchard and pit fruit flavors and good back-end cut. Rounder and deeper than most Hunter Valley Semillons, with finishing notes of lemon custard and mint.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2009)

Torbreck 2008 Roussanne Marsanne
Rating: 91

Yellow-gold. Lemon custard, tangerine and pear on the nose, with a suave floral quality adding complexity. Weighty pear and peach flavors are brightened by notes of orange peel and white pepper, with smoky and herbal notes building toward the back. This very rich but energetic blend finishes with impressive breadth and power, not to mention lingering spiciness and minerality.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2009)

Torbreck 2008 Cuvee Juveniles (G/S/Mataro)
Rating: 90

Ruby-red. Black raspberry and blueberry on the nose, with subtle floral and spice qualities adding complexity. Juicy and appealingly sweet, with lively red and dark berry flavors and tangy minerality. There is nothing heavy about this wine. The black raspberry note recurs on the focused finish. Livelier than the 2007 and the best version of this bottling I have yet tasted.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2009)

Torbreck 2006 Les Amis (Grenache)
Rating: 94

Deep, vivid ruby. Strikingly perfumed bouquet of black raspberry, cherry pie, incense and anise. Lush and creamy, with deep, sweet red fruit and bitter cherry flavors complemented by notes of exotic candied flowers and licorice. Supple tannins frame the expansive fruit and add definition to the long, focused, spicy finish.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2009)

Torbreck 2006 The Factor (Shiraz)
Rating: 94

Youthful violet color. Powerfully scented bouquet offers blackberry, cherry-cola, licorice, violet oil and vanilla, with mounting spiciness adding vivacity. Deep in dark berry flavors but by no means heavy, offering sweet floral and licorice pastille qualities and a lashing of smoky minerals. Unfolds slowly to show brighter red fruits. An extremely young Shiraz with excellent finishing clarity and an echo of cola.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2009)

Torbreck 2006 The Pict (Mataro)
Rating: 93+

Glass-staining ruby. Powerful scents of blackcurrant, dark cherry, olive tapenade and incense, with a musky herbal undertone. Broad, palate-staining dark berry compote flavors are framed by velvety tannins and pick up notes of licorice and bitter chocolate with air. Pretty wild stuff, boasting excellent concentration and finishing sweetness. There are plenty of tannins here but the fruit seems to suck them up. Give this another four or five years in the cellar.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2009)

Torbreck 2007 Cuvee Juveniles (G/S/Mataro)
Rating: 91

The 2007 Cuvee Juveniles is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mataro, and 20% Shiraz aged totally in stainless steel. Dark ruby-colored, it has a fragrant nose of black cherry and wild blueberry. Elegant and friendly on the palate with plenty of succulent blue and black fruits, it will provide pleasure over the next four years. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck 2006 Les Amis (Grenache)
Rating: 94

The 2006 Les Amis is 100% Grenache aged in new oak for 18 months. Purple-colored, it exhibits an enthralling nose of smoky oak, roses, garrigue, lavender, black cherry, and black raspberry. It conceals enough ripe tannin to support 5-7 years of additional cellaring. This layered, lengthy effort should be at its best from 2012 to 2024. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck 2007 Roussanne Marsanne
Rating: 90

The 2007 Roussanne-Marsanne was selected from numerous lots that received elevage in either stainless steel or neutral oak. Light gold-colored, it has a captivating bouquet of floral notes, honey, melon, roasted nuts, and tropical scents. On the palate it is ripe and round, smooth-textured and impeccably balanced. It might well evolve for several years in the style of Hermitage Blanc. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck 2005 RunRig (Shiraz/Viognier)
Rating: 98

Torbreck’s flagship is the 2005 Run Rig, a 97% Shiraz cuvee sourced from 120- to 160-year-old vines with 3% finished Viognier added before bottling. It spent 30 months in 60% new French oak. Opaque purple/black in color, it has a kinky, exotic bouquet of fresh road tar, smoke, lavender, black pepper, game, blueberry, and black raspberry. Full-bodied and opulent on the palate, the wine is dense, packed, and unevolved. It will continue to open up over the next 10-12 years and drink well through 2040 in the style of a Chapoutier Hermitage. If it develops as I think it will, it will be a candidate for perfection down the road. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck (375 ml) 2007 'The Bothie'
Rating: 89

The 2007 The Bothie is 100% Muscat Blanc in the style of a southern Rhone Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise. While drier and less viscous than its French cousin, it offers a pleasant floral and honeysuckle perfume, off dry fruity flavors, and good length. It should prove most useful as an aperitif on a hot summer day. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck 2006 Descendant (Shiraz/Viognier)
Rating: 95

The Shiraz for the 2006 The Descendant is sourced from a single vineyard and co-fermented with 8% Viognier. It was aged for 18 months in seasoned French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it emits an expressive, sexy perfume of violets, wood smoke, black pepper, espresso, blueberry, and chocolate. Full-bodied, on the palate, this voluptuous effort has great concentration with a noticeable uplift from the Viognier, tons of spicy black fruits, enough ripe tannin to evolve for a decade, and 60-second finish. It should provide pleasure from 2016 through 2036. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck 2006 The Factor (Shiraz)
Rating: 94

The purple/black 2006 The Factor is 100% old-vine Shiraz from the esteemed Greenock sub-region of Barossa Valley. It spent 24 months in 30% new oak. The aromatic array of balsam wood, smoke, pepper, espresso, blueberry, and licorice is eye-opening. This leads to a rich, glossy, full-flavored Shiraz with layers of succulent fruit, ripe tannin, exceptional spiciness, and a lengthy, pure finish. It will evolve for another 8-10 years and will have a drinking window extending from 2016 to 2036. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck 2006 The Pict (Mataro)
Rating: 92

The 2006 The Pict is 100% Mataro (Mourvedre) aged in 100% new French oak for 24 months. The fruit was sourced from one section of a vineyard planted in 1927. Purple-colored, it offers up an aromatic array of smoky oak, forest floor, black truffle, blueberry, and blackberry jam. On the palate it reveals a brawny, masculine personality with some austerity that should round out with a few years of additional bottle age. It should offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2026. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck 2006 The Steading (G/S/Mataro)
Rating: 91

The 2006 The Steading is the same cepage as the Juveniles but aged for two years in neutral hogsheads (300-liter barrels) and is David Powell’s spot-on take on Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Dark ruby/purple in color, it offers an alluring perfume of garrigue, damp earth, clove, kirsch, and black raspberry. Slightly austere now, it will profit from 2-3 years of additional cellaring and drink well through 2018. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck 2005 The Struie (Shiraz)
Rating: 92

The 2006 The Struie is 100% Shiraz, sourced from cooler, hillside sites, 70% from Barossa Valley and 30% from Eden Valley with vine age ranging from 46 to 110 years. It was aged for 18 months in 20% new oak. Opaque purple-colored, it delivers a striking bouquet of lead pencil, game, mineral, blueberry compote, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a focused, elegant Shiraz with a plush texture, outstanding depth and grip, and 5-7 years of aging potential. It should drink well through 2026. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck 2007 Woodcutter Semillon
Rating: 90

Fifty percent of the 2007 Woodcutter’s Semillon was raised in stainless steel and 50% in neutral oak. It offers up an enticing nose of mineral, candle wax, melon, and citrus. Creamy textured, balanced, and lengthy, this tasty effort should be drunk over the next two years. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck 2007 Woodcutters Shiraz
Rating: 89

Production of the 2007 Woodcutter’s Shiraz was greatly impacted by the drought conditions in Barossa. Yields for this bottling were under two tons per acre and only 11,000 cases were made; down from 27,000 in 2006. The wine was aged in large oak foudres for one year. Purple-colored it reveals aromas of earth, spice, and blueberry in a straightforward, full-flavored style. It will make pleasant drinking over the next five years. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.

- The Wine Advocate (2/23/2009)

Torbreck 2007 Cuvee Juveniles (G/S/Mataro)
Rating: 88

Fresh and vibrant, this is framed with crisp tannins, offering a core of plum and licorice flavors that vie for attention. The finish gets a bit hot. Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro.

- The Wine Spectator (10/15/2008)

Torbreck 2005 RunRig (Shiraz/Viognier)
Rating: 95

Firm, focused, highly aromatic and packed with flavor, offering floral accents to the dense blackberry, cherry and mineral flavors that linger on the refined finish. The grip on the finish needs cellaring to loosen. Shiraz and Viognier. Best from 2011 through 2017. 500 cases imported. —H.S.

- The Wine Spectator (8/15/2008)

Torbreck 2005 The Factor (Shiraz)
Rating: 92

Rich and very ripe, this is distinctive for its black cherry, blackberry and a wide range of spices that make it more interesting. A cardamom note lingers on the long, expressive finish. The tannins are well-integrated. Shiraz. Best from 2010 through 2020. 600 cases imported. —H.S.

- The Wine Spectator (8/15/2008)

Torbreck 2004 RunRig (Shiraz/Viognier)
Rating: 99

The flagship 2004 Run Rig is 96.5% Shiraz and 3.5% Viognier with the Shiraz component aged for 30 months in a mixture of new and used French oak. Yields were a minuscule 14 hl/ha (about 1 ton per acre). Saturated opaque purple/black, it has a remarkably kinky, exotic perfume of fresh asphalt, pencil lead, smoke, pepper, game, blueberry and black raspberry. Full-bodied and voluptuous in the mouth, the wine is dense and packed, with amazing purity, sweet tannins, and a complex collection of sensory stimuli. The wine demands 10 years of cellaring and will provide hedonistic delights through 2035+. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s greatest wine estates. The top cuvees are limited production and expensive but there are also some outstanding values in the portfolio. With regard to the current vintages for the Barossa red wines, David Powell states “? 2004 is more savory while 2005 has more purity and definition. 2004 is more classic, 2005 will take longer to come around.”

- The Wine Advocate (October 2007)

Torbreck 2005 The Factor (Shiraz)
Rating: 97

The 2005 The Factor is 100% Shiraz sourced from dry grown vines from six sub-regions of Barossa. It spent 24 months in 30% new French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it delivers an expressive bouquet of pepper, smoke, espresso roast, blackberry, blueberry, and licorice. Full-bodied and voluptuous on the palate, nuances of saddle leather and mineral emerge to complement the layers of spicy blue and black fruits. The wine is beautifully integrated with enough well-concealed tannin to keep this wine evolving for a decade. The pure finish lingers for 60+ seconds to complete the experience of a totally hedonistic turn-on. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s greatest wine estates. The top cuvees are limited production and expensive but there are also some outstanding values in the portfolio. With regard to the current vintages for the Barossa red wines, David Powell states “? 2004 is more savory while 2005 has more purity and definition. 2004 is more classic, 2005 will take longer to come around.”

- The Wine Advocate (08/15/2008)

Torbreck 2005 The Struie (Shiraz)
Rating: 94

The 2005 The Struie was sourced from cooler Eden Valley and Barossa Valley hillside vineyards. It is David Powell’s attempt to showcase the cooler side of the region. Vine age ranges from 46-110 years old. The wine was aged for 18 months in older French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. It delivers a splendid bouquet of lead pencil, game, blueberry muffin, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by an elegant Shiraz which is nevertheless full-bodied, dense, and richly flavored. Plush on the palate, it has superior depth and length and the structure to evolve for 6-8 years. Drink it through 2027. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s greatest wine estates. The top cuvees are limited production and expensive but there are also some outstanding values in the portfolio. With regard to the current vintages for the Barossa red wines, David Powell states “? 2004 is more savory while 2005 has more purity and definition. 2004 is more classic, 2005 will take longer to come around.”

- The Wine Advocate (October 2007)

Torbreck 2005 The Steading (G/S/Mataro)
Rating: 93

The 2005 The Steading is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mataro, and 20% Shiraz aged for 22 months in used French oak. David Powell’s interpretation of top-of-the-line Chateauneuf du Pape is spot-on. Purple-colored, it offers a fabulous nose of damp earth, garrigue, clove, kirsch, and black raspberry. Full-bodied, rich, and layered, the wine is powerful, complex and yet surprisingly light on its feet. It can be enjoyed now but will easily last for a decade. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s greatest wine estates. The top cuvees are limited production and expensive but there are also some outstanding values in the portfolio. With regard to the current vintages for the Barossa red wines, David Powell states “? 2004 is more savory while 2005 has more purity and definition. 2004 is more classic, 2005 will take longer to come around.”

- The Wine Advocate (October 2007)

Torbreck 2006 Woodcutters Shiraz
Rating: 92

The 2006 Woodcutter’s Shiraz was sourced from six sub-regions of the Barossa. The wine was aged for 12 months in large, neutral French oak and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Purple-colored, it has an attractive array of pepper, spicy blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry muffin aromas. Full-bodied and opulent on the palate, the wine delivers gobs of meaty, full-flavored blue and black fruits to accompany its forward, easy-going personality. Drink this incredible value over the next 4-6 years. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s greatest wine estates. The top cuvees are limited production and expensive but there are also some outstanding values in the portfolio. With regard to the current vintages for the Barossa red wines, David Powell states “? 2004 is more savory while 2005 has more purity and definition. 2004 is more classic, 2005 will take longer to come around.”

- The Wine Advocate (October 2007)