Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz 2006

93 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Low yielding, old and dry grown Barossa Valley vineyards are the cornerstone of Torbreck Vintners 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 approach to viticulture - Torbreck wines are concentrated in the vineyards, not in the winery. Our website enables you to discover all of our wines and the vineyards that give them life. 'Dave Powell, unquestionably one of the world's read more...finest wine producers, has an uncanny ability to discover old vine Barossa vineyards, and then secure long term contracts for their fruit.' Although this wine is consistantly praised for being succulent and rich - perhaps one of the best features of this wine is its complexity and texture which is rarely found in a wine at this price.    (hide)

October 2008

The wine is very purple. Think Welch's grape juice purple. The aroma was sweet, heavy with black cherry, plum and blue fruits. It did not disappoint. There were no surprises on the flavor side. Lots of Blueberry with cherry and blueberry undertones. It has a big mouth feel, the fruit is almost overwhelming (Not that there is anything wrong with that...Thanks, Jerry Seinfeld). It finished smooth without any bitterness or heavy tannins.

This is a very pleasant wine. I know that Parker gave it a 92, but remember this is a Australian Shiraz. If you do not appreciate the fruit forward read more...style of the Australian winemakers, you will not care for this wine at all. If you do, as I do, you will appreciate this for what it is. A great Australian value.    (hide)

• Tags:
• Gerry Dunn
• WineGent

August 2008

Exceptional value!

January 2009

Wine Advocate ReviewRated 92The 2006 Woodcutters Shiraz was sourced from six sub-regions of the Barossa. The wine was aged for 12 months in large, neutral French oak and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Purple-colored, it has an attractive array of pepper, spicy blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry muffin aromas. Full-bodied and opulent on the palate, the wine delivers gobs of meaty, full-flavored blue and black fruits to accompany its forward, easy-going personality. Drink this incredible value over the next 4-6 years.Wine Tasting NotesThis is the kind of red I liked to drink with read more...a hearty meal after a hard day's work in the wood, but you don't have to be a woodcutter to enjoy it.    (hide)

January 2009

Concentrated and rich, with exotic spices accenting smooth cherry and berry fruit that lingers on the lush finish. Ready to drink now.

Color was a dark purple. Nose had plum, blueberries, and soy sauce at the tail end. It was fleshy and jammy with black fruits, a little wood on the end. Spice was passive and not overpowering. Fruity but not over the top. Not a long finish, but nice nevertheless. Very delicious and will keep you reaching for another glass. Had it with a steak on day 1, and alone on day 2. I think I prefer to drink it by itself as the food distracts me from experiencing the fun in this bottle.
Surprised to learn that this was 100% shiraz, esp noting how different it is from the 100% shiraz from Northern Rhone (Cave de Tain read more...Crozes Hermitage) I had recently, which was a lot less fruity and jammy. This was spicy and the Crozes Hermitage was more earthy. In this comparison, the new world one wins me over.
For the price (I paid $16), will love to have a bunch of this in my cellar.
WE 91; RP 92    (hide)

March 2008