Torbreck Cuvée Juveniles 2023 - 75cl/15%

Estate History:
David Powell founded Torbreck in the Barossa in 1994; the name comes from a Highland forest. The house is known for old-vine Shiraz and southern Rhône varieties. This cuvée honours Juveniles, a wine bar in Paris’s 1st arrondissement. Fruit comes from Lyndoch, Gomersal, Seppeltsfield, Marananga and Greenock—some vines to 150 years, mostly dry-grown. Torbreck is now one of the valley’s reference names.

Wine Introduction:
Cuvée Juveniles is a Côtes-du-Rhône-style table wine: 48% Grenache, 28% Mataro, 13% Carignan, 6% Counoise, 5% Shiraz. 2023 brought extra winter rain and a cooler ripening stretch, so more acid and lift. Raised in steel and large old foudres so new oak does not smother fruit. Versus RunRig and other flagships, this is the drink-now, medium-bodied “little Rhône.” Halliday 94 points.

Tasting Notes:
Nosing: Red cherry, redcurrant, five-spice and jerky.
Palate: Medium body—juicy red fruit, white pepper, tannins a touch firmer than recent years.
Finish: Spice, fresh acidity and a hint of savoury salt.