Torbreck The Struie 2022 - 750ml/15%

Founded in 1994 in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, Torbreck Vintners is renowned for crafting Rhône Valley-style red and white wines, emphasizing minimal intervention and the region’s unique terroir. The Struie, named after a 157-meter hill in Scotland’s northeastern Highlands overlooking the Torbreck forest, mirrors the scenic Barossa Valley. This wine is a refined blend of Shiraz from a 40-year-old single vineyard in Eden Valley and 80-year-old vines in Barossa Valley, balancing Eden Valley’s elegance with Barossa’s intensity.

2022 Vintage Characteristics
The 2022 vintage comprises 79% Barossa Valley and 21% Eden Valley Shiraz. Above-average winter rainfall offset a dry autumn, promoting healthy vine growth. Late October hail reduced yields in some vineyards, while mild summer temperatures, rarely exceeding 30°C, allowed slow ripening, resulting in high natural acidity, vibrant color, and fine tannins, ensuring vivid hues and excellent aging potential.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Vibrant aromas of blueberry, mulberry, blackberry, and African violet burst from the glass, interwoven with graphite, sandalwood, and dark chocolate, delivering a rich, layered bouquet.
• Palate: Silky entry with concentrated blackberry and blueberry fruit, supported by round, soft tannins. The fruit and acidity intertwine seamlessly, offering a lush yet refined texture with velvety depth and varietal precision.
• Finish: Long and structured, with lingering notes of dark chocolate, plum, violet, and subtle spice, highlighting the fruit’s natural elegance and tension.

Winemaking
Grapes from old-vine Barossa and Eden Valley vineyards are hand-picked in batches to ensure optimal ripeness. Fermentation occurs in wooden and concrete open-top vats, with gentle pump-overs twice daily for 6-7 days. The wine is aged for 18 months in new and used French oak barrels (sourced from Allier’s Forêt de Tronçais, air-dried for 48-54 months, hand-crafted, and lightly toasted in three variations), adding delicate vanilla and toasted brioche notes while preserving fruit purity.

Accolades and Reviews

• 96 Points - Erin Larkin, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: Praises its “intense, penetrating flavors, velvety texture, and clear varietal definition, perfectly showcasing Barossa’s red soil terroir—a top-tier Barossa Shiraz with exceptional value.”
• 94 Points - James Suckling: Highlights its deep blackcurrant and plum aromas, with blueberry, spice, and chocolate notes, and elegant structure.
• Critics note this as one of the finest Struie vintages, blending Eden Valley’s black pepper and floral notes with Barossa’s earthy, chocolatey complexity, delivering vibrant fruit and mineral acidity.