Torbreck Hillside Grenache 2019
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Robert
Parker - Decanter
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This unique parcel has all the bright, opulent fruit characteristics that we look for in dry grown Grenache combined with plush red fruits, and seamless tannin profile due to a partial whole-bunch fermentation. The rich, luxuriant fruit was further enhanced by barrel maturation in a second fill 2400 litre ‘Boutes’ French oak foudre barrel, which perfectly balances the expressive fruit profile and the savory, old world like characters from this vineyard.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The fruit for the 2019 Hillside Vineyard Grenache was handpicked from vines planted in 1949, destemmed and fermented in open stainless steel fermenters. It matured in large format (2,400-liter) French foudre for 18 months. This is a good example of a ripe style of Grenache done well. It has muscle and gnarly tannins, but the fruit that wraps around this scaffold is cushioned, plump and even a little bit savory, too. It has notes of salted redcurrants, raspberry coulis, mulberry, beetroot, plum skin and licorice. A big one. And a good one.
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Decanter
The hidden gem A cuvée first made in 2016, the Hillside vineyard’s southerly Lyndoch location and 1949 vines shower the creamy red berry and firmer cherrystone palate with violets, pot pourri and spice – varietal characters that shine, thanks to ageing in 2,400-litre French oak foudres. Five spice, white pepper and sandalwood notes build on a tapering, tangy ironstone finish, with chalky tannins and harmonious acidity.
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Wine &
Spirits
Torbreck, founded in 1994 by David Powell, is situated at Marananga on the western ridge of the Barossa. Since that time he has produced some of the world's finest 'Rhone varietal' wines, exclusively from Barossa fruit; this has been acknowledged by the wine press in Europe, America and Australia. The overwhelming majority of his vines are dry-grown, nearly all are 80 - 125 years old and are tended and harvested by hand.
The wines have an extraordinary combination of power, intesity, complexity and great finesse, and bearing in mind the age of the vines and the laughably low yields, no Torbreck wine could ever be accused of being heavy, cloying or over-extracted.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.