Torbreck Grenache les Amis 2003

document.getElementById("NoProductImage").innerHTML = ""; Robert Parker 98 points! David 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. 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. The 2003 Les read more...Amis is a 300-case cuvee of 100% Grenache from a vineyard planted in 1901. I have had a lot of fun serving the 2002 blind to guests- and for my taste- this cuvee is the reference point for old vine Grenache produced in Australia. It is extraordinarily elegant for a wine of such power- richness- and intensity. Amazingly delineated- with a dense ruby/purple color as well as a gorgeously sweet nose of smoke- spice box- black cherry liqueur- creme de cassis- licorice- and lavender- it offers impressive balance- purity- opulence- and persistence. This phenomenal wine is both powerful and refreshingly elegant. A magnificent achievement for Torbreck- it should drink well for 15+ years. Wine Advocate #161 (Oct 2005) Robert Parker Torbreck 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.Les AmisGrenache's apogee is traditionally in France's Southern Rhone valley (particularly in an appelation called Chateauneuf du Pape where Grenache reigns supreme - typically accounting for most of the blend - and more recently in South Australia where ambitious- talented winemakers have been crafting small lots of pure Grenache to rave reviews around the world. The genesis of this wine was a conversation between Singaporean wine identity Ignatius Chan and Dave Powell. Ignatius encouraged Dave to go against traditional thought and mature a special parcel of Grenache in 100new oak. Dave knew that the Grenache would have to be special but also knew that he had access to a unique Seppeltsfield vineyard- planted in 1901 as part of the original Seppelts 'Para' port programme. He went on to craft an elixir from this Grenache that has recently been described as the reference point for the variety in Australia. "I was honoured when my good friend Ignatius Chan asked me to make a wine for his renowned Singapore establishment. This unique parcel of Grenache- sourced from an old vineyard- has successfully eighteen months in new French barrique." David Powell    (hide)

October 2008

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January 2009

Rating: 98/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 161 on Oct-05

Rating: 93/100 - As reviewed by Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar on Jul-06

Rating: 98/100 - As reviewed by Wine Advocate on 10/05