Torbreck The Steading Red 1997 Front Bottle Shot
Torbreck The Steading Red 1997 Front Bottle Shot Torbreck The Steading Red 1997 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

The melding of the three traditional Barossa varieties creates a tremendously complex and rewarding wine. The Grenache and Mataro are from old bush vines that are pruned in the traditional "goblet" style to a limited number of buds, reducing yields and promoting flavor and color concentration. Only the free run component of the Shiraz is used in the blend to allow the Grenache identity to shine through.

Professional Ratings

  • 90
    The 1997 The Steading, an Aussie-inspired Chateauneuf du Pape-like blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Shiraz, and 20% Mourvedre, offers up complex notes of pain grille, coffee, black raspberries, cranberries, and kirsch. Intense in the mouth, with a creamy texture, full body, and low acidity, this is a hedonistic, lush, lusty wine...
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With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.

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A large, climatically diverse country with incredibly diverse terrain, producing just about every wine style imaginable, Australia has a grand winemaking history and some of the oldest vines on the planet. Both red wine and white wine from Australian are wildly popular and beloved. Most of Australia's wine regions are concentrated in the south of the country with those inland experiencing warm, dry conditions and those in coastal areas receiving tropical, maritime or Mediterranean weather patterns. Australia has for several decades been at the forefront of winemaking technology and has widely adopted the use of screwcaps, even for some premium and ultra-premium bottles. Thanks to the country’s relatively agreeable climate throughout and the openness of its people, experimentation is common and ongoing.

Shiraz is indeed Australia’s most celebrated and widely planted variety; Barossa Valley leads the way, producing exceptionally bold and supple versions. Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia's second most planted variety, can be blended with Shiraz but also shines on its own particularly in Coonawarra and Margaret River. Grenache and Mourvèdre are also popular, both on their own and alongside Shiraz in Rhône Blends. Chardonnay is common throughout the country and made in a wide range of styles. Sauvignon Blanc has recently surged in popularity to compete with New Zealand’s distinctive version and Semillon is often blended in Margaret River or shines on its own in the Hunter Valley. Riesling thrives in the cool-climate Clare and Eden Valleys. Sticky-sweet fortified wine Rutherglen is a beloved regional specialty of Victoria.

ENG165299_1997 Item# 165299