Torbreck Shiraz Barossa Valley the Factor 2004

Dense and distinctive Shiraz that provides a lavish mouthful of licorice-and tar-accented purple plum, blueberry and sweet spice flavors. Framed with oak, but not at all woody. The finish rolls along unperturbed by the fine-grained tannins. Best from 2008 through 2020.

A big wine with an extraordinary sense of elegance, positively glowing with gorgeous blueberry, plum and white pepper flavors that skim across the palate like a sailboat in a perfect wind. Hints of mineral and spice weave through the long, long finish. Classic stuff. Drink now through 2015.

The 100% Shiraz offering, the exquisite 2001 The Factor, aged 24 months in French oak (30% new), possesses a more roasted, Cote Rotie character than its Shiraz siblings. Blackberry, blueberry, espresso roast, smoke, and a roasted component are found in this intense, rich effort along with considerable structure, fabulous density, and a broad, deep, profound palate.

Generous and soft as a down pillow, this balances dense, super-ripe flavors of prune and raisin with black walnut tannins. The florid fruit and charry oak should meld over the next few years, when the texture will parallel lamb shank melting off the bone.

96 points out of 100 by James Halliday

Made from 100% Shiraz that spent 24 months in French oak (30% new), the exuberant, flamboyant 2004 The Factor offers up gorgeously pure blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with smoke, bacon fat, camphor, and graphite. Silky smooth, and, as David Powell says, andldquo;the most Barossa-likeandrdquo; of all his wines, it represents Powellandrsquo;s rendition of a Cote Rotie. It can be drunk over the next 15andndash;20 years.

Perfumed on the nose, with hints of roses, pepper and game all adding complexity atop the base of berries and earth. This is wonderfully creamy in texture and crammed with lush fruit, but by no means is it what youandrsquo;d dismissively call a fruit bomb, as there is considerable nuance to the flavors, ending on notes of pepper, meat and dried spices. Drink nowandndash;2020.