February 19, 2019 - A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Shiraz. 14% alcohol.
Somewhat translucent dark cherry red color with somewhat aged maroon hue. Open, ripe and expressive nose with pleasantly developed aromas of licorice, dark sunny fruits, some gamey meaty tones, a little bit of peppery spice, light blueberry jam notes, a hint of sweet black cherry, a phenolic touch of earthy brett character and a lifted touch of mint. Lots of everything here, really. The wine is full-bodied, silky and textural on the palate with developed flavors of dried, cracking leather, some juicy red plums, light bretty notes of Band-Aid and even that Orval-like appley character, a little bit of wizened black cherry, an umami hint of game and a touch of savory, earthy spices. The wine is medium-to-moderately high in acidity with fully resolved, powdery tannins. The finish is dry-ish, complex and savory with relatively short flavors of ripe dark berries, some meaty umami, a little bit of peppery spice, light leathery tones, a hint of wizened cherries and a funky touch of bretty leather.
A very lovely, complex and wonderfully developed Rhône blend with good sense of balance and a lovely, funky touch of brett that never really dominates, but only lends a great, rustic touch to the otherwise ripe and quite polished fruit. With a bit higher acidity and more persistent aftertaste this could've been a remarkable wine, but it was great stuff all the same. Torbreck manages to show remarkable staying power with its wine performing so well even with 20 years under its belt. Well worth its price at 42€.
February 19, 2019 - Dark forest floor tones, dark ripe fruit, apple core, menthol and banana sweetness, light and ripe, drinking still well.
February 19, 2019 - Nose: flint, smoke, espresso, blackberry, green herbs, barnyard
body+, tannins med, acid+, length+, intensity+, Well matured but In Full swing still
Palate: ash, espresso, blackberry, apple, liquorce, minerals
April 15, 2017 - Beautiful Rhone blend. First impression is of dark secondary and tertiary aromas on the nose. Lots of fruit nicely balanced with a good dose of acidity. Medium body and finish.
August 4, 2014 - NobleRottersSydney - Mostly Torbreck magnums (360 Bar & Dining, Sydney): {magnum, cork, 14%} (Ronnie) Magnum 18 of 60. Fragrant liquorice and blueberries, with some development. No oak. Slightly bretty, or at least a fungal note is present; not unattractively. The palate is deep and rich, with a dark iodine/bacterial character to the jubey grenache fruit flavours. Not especially complex. Still offers medium chalky tannins, and medium-bodied weight, tilted to the front of the palate, with a short/medium, even slightly flat finish. Decent, but another wine clearly ready to drink.
November 19, 2011 - Served blind and surprised me though I knew it was New World. Still had some heat and slight rubber notes but a good effort none the less. Some funk on the nose that was intriguing.
May 29, 2010 - Nicely rounded and suprisingly still drinking very well.
March 26, 2006 - MEATY NOSE WITH BLACK CHERRIES, BLACKBERRIES AND CEDAR. FLAVOR LIKE THE NOSE WITH SPICE. LONG FINISH.
May 10, 2003 - I've always enjoyed the '99 version of this wine better than the 2000 and better than the oaked version ( Steading ) and this was no exception. I find Torbreck wines to ride the line very well between big sweet fruit and some restraint and earthiness and this was no exception. Worked very well with a Salmon with Soy Ginger Marinade.