Winemaker Notes
The RunRig is a structured, muscular wine with phenomenal density, dry vintage port-like concentration, and magnificent notes of smoke, blackberries, cassis, leather and coffee. A hint of viognier’s sweet marmalade character comes through as the wine sits in the glass. 95% Shiraz & 5% Viognier.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 1999 RunRig concludes the 1990s decade for this wine (1995–1999 inclusive), and what a decade it was in the world of wine and particularly in this case Australian wine. Torbreck broke through global markets on the praise of this very publication, and it brought positive attention to the Barossa and, by extension, Australia. Here, the 1999 RunRig exemplifies the quiet strength of the 1999 vintage, especially when tasted side by side with the great 1998. Today, the 1998 is singing, and one can't compete with a wine when that happens; however, this 1999 is no slouch. It has notes of blood plum and star anise, sumac, paprika dolce and sumac. The finish is fine—soft, even. This translates to elegance and subtlety. 14% alcohol.
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Wine Spectator
Ripe and generous, showing impressive density without tremendous weight, this Australian red offers concentrated blueberry, plum, mineral and bittersweet chocolate flavors, all of which echo superbly on the well-wrought finish. Promises much with cellaring.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
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.