Bold Barossa: Discovering the Flavorful Depths of Torbreck Vintners

Wrapped in the heart of South Australia’s Barossa Valley is a winery that has successfully managed to capture the soul of the region. Torbreck Vintners, since its inception in 1994, has shone as a guiding star in the firmament of fine wines. Its story is one of passion, reverence for tradition, and relentless pursuit of quality.

The Beginning: A Vision Rooted in Old Vines
The odyssey of Torbreck began with a young, fearless winemaker named David Powell, whose vision was as audacious as the wines he would eventually produce. Powell saw an opportunity few others did in the Barossa Valley a chance to make wines from some of the oldest vines in the world, planted by European settlers in the 19th century.

But when most others in the industry were going for modern plantings in the vineyards, Powell seized an opportunity: previously neglected vineyards that he had leased, he brought back to life with long hours of work, believing that these old plantings held the key to wines of unmatched depth and complexity.

The name “Torbreck” pays homage to Powell’s former occupation as a lumberjack in Scotland, where he laboured in a stand of trees by that name. This is consistent with a view of regard for the natural world, authenticity, and heritage on the part of this winery.

A Symphony of Barossa’s Terroir
Torbreck wines are testaments to the rich diversity of the Barossa Valley. The heart and soul of the portfolio is comprised of its bold, expressive red wines, made predominantly with Shiraz, Grenache, and Mataro/Mourvèdre. Each separate wine expresses the unique terroir of the vineyard, many of which contain vines over 100 years old.

RunRig Often hailed as the flagship wine, this wine is a Shiraz-based blend that includes a small percentage of Viognier. This iconic wine marries the richness of blackberry and plum with flowers and spice. It is complex, and the texture is reminiscent of great Rhône Valley wines.
The Laird A single vineyard, Shiraz, The Laird represents the best of winemaking at Torbreck. Four years of ageing in French oak make this a true masterwork of both power and sophistication.
The Struie The fruit for this wine is sourced from the Eden Valley and Barossa Valley vineyards. Well-balanced with a touch of bright acidity against rich fruit, this suggests black pepper and dark chocolate with earthy undertones.
Woodcutter’s Shiraz So-named because of Powell’s forestry background, this approachable Shiraz represents the bold flavours of Barossa with a soft and drinkable profile.
Les Amis A true celebration of Grenache, Les Amis offers a luscious palate of red berries, herbs, and spices that reflects the influences of the Mediterranean on the Barossa Valley.

Legacy of Excellence
One of the most elite wineries in the world, Torbreck is fully committed to old vines and traditional methods of making wines. This is a winery that undertakes hand harvests, open fermentation, and basket press very well considered and carefully handled from the very beginning of the entire process.

The result is a wines that, besides being the true expression of Barossa Valley, stand as a testament to the value of craftsmanship and patience. Torbreck wines can be recognised by special bottle age, evolving over decades into greater complexity.

Beyond the Bottle: Sustainability and Community
Torbreck’s legacy is much more than this collection of award-winning wines. The winery is deeply committed to sustainability, and dedicated to the health of its vineyards and the greater ecosystem. Supporting locals and continuing to work with many of the same vineyard owners it has since day one, Torbreck plays an important role in sustaining the Barossa community.

Torbreck Today
Under new ownership since 2008, Torbreck continued to thrive, focusing on innovation and quality. The winery’s state-of-the-art facilities combine modern technology with traditional methods so that each vintage reflects the same dedication that defined its origins.

A Taste of the Bold Barossa
The tasting of a Torbreck wine is a journey into the history of the Barossa Valley, to its sun-drenched landscapes, and to the resilient old vines. From the approachable Woodcutter’s Shiraz to the majestic RunRig, each bottle has its story to tell: one of passion, consistency, and a love for the land.

Torbreck Vintners is much more than a winery; it is indeed the legacy of boldness and beauty in an enduring testament of what flavour depth Barossa Valley possesses. Whether it be a connoisseur or a curious newcomer, Torbreck gives an opportunity to taste the best from Barossa.

The Tastings

2012 The Factor

Focused and open-textured, this is brimming with blueberry, currant, licorice and smoke character, framed by fine, crisp tannins and finishing with persistence and expressiveness. 90 corked Points

2005 RunRig

The 2005 RunRig is a stately Shiraz with a little Viognier, showing much elegance allied to power. Blackberry, blueberry, and blackcurrant aromas are all intertwined with violet, licorice, and dark chocolate, but all these are put through a subtle floral lift. Full and luscious it sounds on the palate with silky tannins and outstanding depth. Layers of ripe fruit, spice, and smoked cedar come together seamlessly, followed by a long, complex finish with hints of earth and espresso. Approaching its peak, this wine offers incredible balance and aging potential. 90 corked Points

1998 Run Rig Shiraz Viognier

Opaque, blueberry colour. Medium intense, medicinal, dark chocolate, cocoa, violets, spirity Port-like nose, less complex but refined and deep. Full-bodied, intense jammy cassis fruitiness, dark chocolate, cocoa, ripe big tannins, long chocolatey finish. High alcohol, lack of vividness. Drinking well now and not a wine for long age. Thick and intense. Little disturbing alcohol. Super concentrated wine. 91 corked Points

2003 The Streading Magnum (Tasted 20.6.2015 L’Etranger London)

The 2003 Streading Magnum shows a dense, concentrated construction, with hints of the warmth of the vintage; bold, fully ripe fruit comes forward. Blackberry compote, plum, and a hint of blackcurrant all lead off, laced with sweet spice, some cedar, and a touch of earthy smoke. Full-bodied, with fleshy tannins and a silky texture, this one achieves much of its balance through surprising freshness that keeps it alive. The finish is rather long, with a dark chocolate note and a whisper of dried herbs. Drink now, but there is some future potential here.

2002 The Streading

The Streading 2002 proudly wears its Grenache dominant varietal mix well on its sleeve. Red cherry, raspberry, and cranberry all meld together in the nose with clove, earth, and slight hints of leather. Medium to full-bodied, it shows fine tannin and silky texture across the palate. It offers bright acidity that weaves through flavours of spiced red fruit and subtle savoury undertones, yielding a refined, lingering finish. Drinking exceptionally well now, it offers both elegance and complexity. 90 corked Points