Complex aromas of dense black fruit such as blackberries, plums and black cherries complimented by dark chocolate, cocoa and licorice. The sumptuous mouthfeel and liveliness are exceptional in a velvety textured structure. The complex layers and fruit characters continue to develop in the glass with firm but drying tannins, seamlessly balanced with a long acidity, body and length. Can be stored for 30+ years.
Aged for 30 months in new and used French oak barriques with natural malolactic fermentation in barrel. Lay on lees throughout ripening to improve texture.
99 POINTS
Robert Parker
Reviewed by Joe Czerwinski
Torbreck’s 2018 RunRig needs a bit of air right now, as the nose and palate truly open up and expand after a while in the glass. Unlike some vintages, it’s rather tight and cedary upon first pour, then relaxes to reveal hints of stone fruit, blueberries, cherries, pastry crust and baking spices. In the mouth, it’s full-bodied and concentrated, richly textured and marked by ripe tannins, which leave behind a velvety, mouth-coating finish tinged with licorice and dark berries. While approachable now—and even damn enjoyable—it deserves another several years in the cellar. Drink the 2018 Descendant while waiting.
98 POINTS
James Suckling
Reviewed by Nick Stock
A really complex wine already, this has aromas of blackberry, tar and dried spice, as well as blueberry and gentle, herbal edges. The essence-like blackberries and dark plums are delivered in a rich, full-flavored style. Great old-vine shiraz from a stunning vintage.
98 POINTS
The Real Review
Reviewed by Huon Hooke
Very deep red/purple colour, with a more reserved bouquet of black fruits, dark chocolate and licorice, the latter coming through more strongly on the palate. It’s full-bodied and richly-flavoured, with ample tannins that run the full length of the palate leaving a cleansing but balanced after-grip. Superb intensity, line and length; not a blockbuster but full-bodied and beautifully modulated. Lots of chocolate-mocha and blackberry on the finish. A cracker of a wine and a very stylish RunRig.
About Torbreck Vintners
Torbreck – world-class Australian wines. Torbreck was founded in 1994 by David Powell, who bought a vineyard in Maranaga. This became the foundation not only for the wine house Torbreck, but also for the man behind it, a “larger than life” personality who helped create a number of epoch-making wines, which, among other things, at one point earned him the title of Winemaker of the Year in The Wine Advocate. Physically, Torbreck can only be described as a very minimalist wine house – it consists, in short, of something that could look like a sheep shed, two cement tanks and a primitive pump.
The name Torbreck, like many of the house’s wine names, is of Scottish origin and should be seen as a tribute to the country where David Powell previously worked. Thus, e.g. Woodcutter’s is named after the Scottish woodcutters, while the house’s flagship, Run Rig, is named after the popular Scottish band.
Torbreck’s wine style is a beautiful union of the classic Barossa wine and the best from France’s Rhône Valley. Nuanced, soft wines with an almost creamy structure that already seduce at first taste. Parker actually also calls the house’s Run Rig “La Mouline of Australia”, by which he alludes to the single vineyard cuvée from Guigal’s Hermitage, which has both sky-high prices and points.
Prestigious winery
However, due to a hard divorce, David had financial problems, so in 2002 he had to sell the winery to Jack Cowin, who in 2008 chose to sell it on to the American investor, Pete Kight. In 2013, however, David chose to leave the winery, after which his assistant winemaker Craig Isabel took over the management.
However, the resales and David’s farewell to Torbreck have in no way harmed either the winery’s wines or reputation. Torbreck still belongs to the absolute elite, and the house’s prestige wine, the Laird, is sold at prices matched only by Three Rivers, Penfolds Grange and Henschke’s Hill of Grace. However, this does not mean that wines are not made at a more affordable price range – here, for example, GMS, Juveniles and Woodcutter’s excellent representatives of the house’s style.
