Torbreck Descendant Barossa Valley 2003

Rating: 16/20 - As reviewed by Jancis Robinson Torbreck's only single-vineyard wine comes from the 8- and 10-year-old vines planted for the owner's sons. Shiraz was fashionably co-fermented with 8 per Viognier and then aged for 18 months in ex Rung Rig barrels. For the moment this is very disjointed with its extremely sweet start and extremely tough finish. It may get there eventually...?

document.getElementById("NoProductImage").innerHTML = ""; Only 6 bottles or less available. "The Descendant is a single vineyard Shiraz-Viognier which- as the name implies- is a direct descendant of RunRig. The Descendant vineyard Shiraz expresses tar and black olive- offset wonderfully by the jasmine and apricot aromatics of Viognier. David Powell- Notes sourced from torbreck.comRobert Parker 96 points!"David Powell- unquestionably one of the world's finest wine producers- has an uncanny ability to discover old vine Barossa vineyards- read more...and then secure long term contracts for their fruit. It is amazing that such high quality sources have not already been plucked by Australia's giant wine corporations. Torbreck's wines continue to get better and better- combining the old vine ripe fruit of Barossa with a European sensitivity to elegance and balance. Primarily Shiraz with a tiny dollop of Viognier- the blockbuster 2003 Descendant spent 18 months in used French oak (barrels that were previously used for Torbreck's flagship cuvee- Run Rig). A spectacular perfume of flowers- blackberries- cassis- licorice- and honeysuckle is followed by an unctuously textured- full-bodied red displaying a seamless integration of wood- tannin- acidity- and alcohol. With elegance- power- richness- and just about everything one could want in a full-throttle- beautifully balanced dry red wine- it will drink well for 12-15 years.Wine Advocate #161 (Oct 2005) Robert Parker Jeremy Oliver 93 points!"Intensely perfumed and highly spiced- this sweet and richly endowed Barossa shiraz reveals pristine and floral aromas of cassis- blackberries- dark plums over a restrained oak background. Smooth and supple- it's juicy and slightly jammy- ripe and concentrated- with a sweet viognier lift enhancing the brightness and length of shiraz flavour. Firmly structured- with firm and drying tannins- it's accentuated and assertive. Drink 2011-2015."Jeremy Oliver- OnWine.Wine Spectator 94 points!"Finely honed- focused and brilliant in flavor- with that distinct twang of fruity spice from Viognier adding a welcome lift to the dark berry- sloe plum and dried apricot flavors that linger expressively on the long finish. Shiraz and Viognier. Best from 2006 through 2015." HS- www.winespectator.comTorbreck Torbreck - Low yielding- old and dry grown Barossa Valley vines are the cornerstone of Torbreck vitners where traditional- manual winemaking methods and minimal intervention are combined to produce a variety of wines each year. The growers we work with have been selected for their unique vineyard sites and spartan aproach to viticulture - Torbreck wines are conentrated in the vineyards- not in the winery.DescendantThe Descendant is a single vineyard Shiraz-Viognier which- as the name implies- is a direct descendant of RunRig. The Descendant vineyard Shiraz expresses tar and black olive- offset wonderfully by the jasmine and apricot aromatics of Viognier. 'From the cuttings taken from old vines used to plant the vineyard- and the viognier skins the shiraz was crushed onto- to the barrels it was matured in- this wine is directly descended from RunRig'. David Powell    (hide)

October 2008

No written review

September 2007

Rating: 96/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 161 on Oct-05

Rating: 94/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 06/15/05

Rating: 94/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator