L-E-G-E-N-D-A-R-Y

​A long time ago, when I was first getting into wine, someone, somewhere introduced me to Australian wines, and more specifically, the Barossa Valley.  Unlike a lot of wine folks out there, my introduction was not the big boys like Lindemans, Penfolds, or Rosemount, but it was Torbreck.  It was the Woodcutter’s Shiraz, but it was unlike anything I had had up until that point.  Jammy and juicy, with loads of bold red fruit and velvety tannins, it was just what I needed to make that transition from novice to nerd.
And much like myself, Torbreck has had its ups and downs, and pivotal changes, leading to a transition that had brought us both to our re-introduction last week at the store.
We were able to try nearly the whole lineup, in an order Matt Lane, one of the world sales managers for Torbreck, felt more compelled to present (basically from heaviest to lightest, what most would call “in reverse”):

• Torbreck Runrig 2012.  The top shelf legend itself, this blend of Shiraz/Viognier is reminiscent of the Northern Rhone, only with Barossa’s own mighty spin on it.  Rich and opulent, this is a truly magnificent wine.
• Torbreck The Factor 2012.  Straight-up Shiraz with unctuous notes of black pepper, black cherry and Grandpa’s pipe tobacco.  Chewy, meaty and rich with notes of dark espresso roast, black fruits and hints of game.
• Torbreck Descendant 2013.  Again with the Shiraz & Viognier, this hints again at the Northern Rhone, with its black currant and bacon fat deliciousness.  A real pleasure for Barossa wine nerds and neophytes alike.
• Torbreck The Struie 2011.  Gorgeous notes of blackberry puree, hickory smoke, anise and pepper abound in this tasty, full-bodied Shiraz.
• Torbreck Shiraz Woodcutter’s 2014.  The wine that started it all for me and my love affair with this winery, it is brighter and livelier than its more brooding brethren, seeing 12 months in seasoned oak.  A great way to see the beauty of Barossa.
• Torbreck GSM The Steading 2012.  Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro – the Three Amigos of Rhone red grapes – is a jamfest of dark berry liqueurs, dried herbs and roasted meats.  A spectacular New World riff on the Chateauneuf-du-Pape style of reds.
• Torbreck GSM Cuvee Juveniles 2013.  Taking its name from a famous Parisienne wine bar called Juveniles, this red blend is unoaked, showing cleaner, brighter red fruits, spices and mineral.
• Torbreck Semillon Woodcutter’s 2012.  Torbreck’s creamy rendition of this Bordeaux grape is dry, savory and showing lemon curd, lanolin, toasted almonds and Honeydew melon.  

I have personally been a fan of Torbreck, and Australian wines in general, and tasting these wines again, makes me want to continue steering customers this way, showing that the wines from Down Under aren’t just critter labels and cheap prices, there are troves of hidden gems out there, just waiting to be discovered.  The wines of Torbreck are to be sought out, sought after and cherished.  These wines are legendary, even if you don’t know it yet.