Sunday, September 24th, 2023
Hey Artisans,

We hope your teams won today! Speaking of winners: one of the best Shiraz we've ever offered, previously sold out since March, is available again for a final drop! Only 30 bottles:

Lowest Price in the Country
Devastatingly Delicious Barossa Legend
TORBRECK "The Struie" Shiraz 2020
There are also 18 bottles left of their mythical "RunRig" Shiraz 2018:
  • 97-100 Point scores 10 times since 2007. Look at all the Robert Parker Wine Advocate scores... 👉 👇 not a one below 95 points.

  • #1 of 31! Best 2018 Shiraz blends from Barossa Valley (link)

  • RunRig often draws comparison with the beautifully fragrant and tautly structured wines from the steep slopes of the Northern Rhône Valley’s Appellation of Côte Rôtie.

  • Shiraz from old dry grown Barossa vineyards is blended with Viognier, complementing the strengths and complexities of these individual parcels of fruit, whilst giving the resulting wine a further dimension. Although wonderfully aromatic, RunRig also exhibits a power and latent richness making it more akin to the hugely concentrated wines sourced from the sun drenched hill of Hermitage – the historic home of Syrah and some of the world’s most powerful and longest living wines.

  • Drink 2024 - 2045, or now with a 2-hour decant

  • Made from vines planted in 1850

  • Torbreck is the name of a forest near Inverness, Scotland. You’ll find more than a passing nod to the Celts in our wine naming conventions including this reference to the “RunRig” system of land distribution among Highland clansmen. Their widely dispersed holdings were managed communally rather than as any one farm…not unlike this complementary blend of Shiraz and Viognier making the sum of the parts greater than the whole.
Torbreck, situated at Marananga on the western ridge of the Barossa, was founded in 1994 by David Powell. 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-farmed, nearly all are 80-125 years old and are tended and harvested by hand. The wines have an extraordinary combination of power, intensity, 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.
 
An older background comment from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:

"...knowing as well as I do the wines of Torbreck, what makes these wines stand amongst some of the world's most special wines is not their supreme plots of land, or their inclusion of fruit of 100+ year-old vines or their minimal intervention winemaking. These factors are all a minimum standard for Torbreck. The exemplary features of the wines stem from the winemaker's relentless efforts, uncompromising winemaking vision and pig-headed stubbornness not to conform."

These limited treasures are sure to sell-out - what more need we say?

Cheers mates,
—James Tran
2020 Torbreck "The Struie" Shiraz
Barossa Valley, Australia

Only 434 cases were imported into the USA
Only 30 bottles available today

98 Points, #81 Top 100 of 2022 - James Suckling:
"Complex and aromatic, showcasing sandalwood, cedar and intense blueberry flavors. Delivers white pepper, mineral and dried herbal details, with malty black Assam tea and a touch of amber on the supple finish. Drink now through 2030. 434 cases imported." (10/31/22)

95 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"If ever there was a high-octane vintage in the Barossa, it would be 2020. Warm and the second in a row of drought conditions, yields were down as much as 70% in some areas. So, to look at this inky black 2020 The Struie in the glass, the year that birthed it makes sense. As ever, a blend of Barossa and Eden, with cigar box, tobacco leaf, blackberries, mulberries, salted licorice and more density of tannin than you can poke a stick at. In the mouth, the texture is velvety and plush; however, the tannins need air to help them release the fruit as we know they will. Decant it or risk missing the best this has to offer. I would say this also: this kind of wine is what made Barossa (and by extension, Australia) famous, and the modern iteration of it here shows the big, muscly style is still valid and exciting, especially when executed with this kind of nuance and detail. Really impressive." (9/15/22)

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"The Struie blends both Barossa and Eden Valley fruit for a rich, high-octane Shiraz destined for the cellar. There’s a nose-full of plump plum and blackberry and savory, earthy spices (think ground pepper, bay leaf and mocha), with an underbelly of violets and charred-root vegetable. The palate is plush yet structured, with a touch of alcohol heat showing. Spicy, granular tannins are mighty and muscular, framing the glossy fruit. Best after 2025."

  • Blend: 100% Shiraz
Last 30 bottles of the vintage

Lowest price in the country

Elsewhere: $64.99 btl
Our Sale:

  • $49.97 btl (1-5)
  • $47.97 btl (6-11)
  • $44.97 btl (12+)
2018 Torbreck "RunRig" Shiraz
Barossa Valley, Australia

Only 54 six-pack cases were imported into the USA
Only 18 bottles available today

99 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"Torbreck's 2018 RunRig needs a bit of air right now, as the nose and palate truly open up and expand after a while in the glass. Unlike some vintages, it's rather tight and cedary upon first pour, then relaxes to reveal hints of stone fruit, blueberries, cherries, pastry crust and baking spices. In the mouth, it's full-bodied and concentrated, richly textured and marked by ripe tannins, which leave behind a velvety, mouth-coating finish tinged with licorice and dark berries. While approachable now—and even damn enjoyable—it deserves another several years in the cellar. Drink the 2018 Descendant while waiting. Drink 2025 - 2040

In the 27 years since its founding in 1994, Torbreck has become one of the icons of Australian wine, championing the old-vine treasures of the Barossa. This year's releases include stunning versions of the winery's top cuvées: The Laird, Les Amis and RunRig. All three rate 97 points or better, with the 2018 RunRig being this taster's personal favorite for its superb balance. Not far behind is the 2018 Descendant, which sells for a fraction of the price and is more approachable as well. That's the one that shrewd wine drinkers will seek out. Fortunately for those of us with skinnier wallets, even Torbreck's other bottlings are excellent, with special mention going to the 2018 Hillside Vineyard Grenache, from vines planted in 1949, and the 2018 The Gask, from Eden Valley vines planted in 1960. Even the entry-level Woodcutter's line is solid, with the 2020 Rosé, 2020 Semillon and 2019 Shiraz all scoring 88-90 points. In short, for consumers seeking bold, flavorful wines that reflect their origins, Torbreck is among Australia's top producers." - Joe Czerwinski (6/30/21)

99 Points - Decanter:
"The must-try wine Tightly wound yet with cashmere tannins, soft kid-glove oak and cut-finger minerality. The anise, clove and cinnamon-edged palate is unbelievably svelte, like melted chocolate. On day two, succulent, spicy cherry fruit emerges, with blackberry liqueur, roses and violets. Savoury cep undertones, graphite and cedar follow through on an endless finish. A stunning blend of six old vineyards, one planted in the 1850s. Drink 2025-2040." - Sarah Ahmed (Jul 2021)

98 Points - James Suckling:
"A really complex wine already, this has aromas of blackberry, tar and dried spice, as well as blueberry and gentle, herbal edges. The essence-like blackberries and dark plums are delivered in a rich, full-flavored style. Great old-vine shiraz from a stunning vintage. Try from 2026." (8/2/21)

  • Aging: 30 months on new (50%), second fill and third fill French oak barriques, completing a natural malolactic fermentation in barrel and resting on fine lees throughout maturation to enhance texture

  • Blend: 98% Shiraz, 2% Viognier
Last 18 bottles in-stock
Lowest price in the state

Elsewhere: $185.99 btl
Lowest California: $179.99 btl
Our Sale:

$179.97 btl (1-5)
$174.97 btl (6+ )
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