Winemaker Notes
This wine reflects the up and coming Shiraz vineyards of the Barossa, rather than the battle hardened old vines that make up the core of our other cuvées. But like all Torbreck wines, Woodcutter’s Shiraz receives the very best viticultural and winemaking treatment. Fruit is sourced from hand-harvested and hand-tended, low-yielding vines, then open fermented and gently basket pressed before ageing on fine lees for 12 months in large format seasoned barrels and foudres. Although this wine is constantly praised for its succulence and richness, there is also a complexity and texture which is rarely found at this price.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine offers oodles of plush, plump plum and cherry accented by flowers, peppery spice, soy and iron. The palate delivers what the nose suggests. It’s broad shouldered but neatly cupped by fine, chalky tannins. There’s a lucidity here thanks to minimal oak. Tangy fruit and a saline note carry the finish. It’s a charming example of modern Barossa Shiraz. Editors’ Choice.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Effusive aromas of dark plums, cola, blueberries and raspberries can all be found on the nose of the 2019 Woodcutter's Shiraz. Predominantly raised in older hogsheads, there are hints of vanilla as well. Medium to full-bodied, reasonably lush and soft, with a lingering, softly dusty and gently savory finish, this is another outstanding vintage for this wine.
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.