Torbreck The Struie 2023

Region and Vineyards

Torbreck The Struie sources its grapes from two distinct regions: the Barossa Valley and the Eden Valley.

The Barossa Valley, located in South Australia, is renowned for its rich, full-bodied Shiraz wines. The region's warm climate and diverse soil types, including clay, sandy loam, and red-brown earth, contribute to the bold flavors and dense textures typical of Barossa Valley Shiraz.

In contrast, the Eden Valley, also in South Australia, is known for its cooler climate due to its higher altitude, which ranges from 380 to 600 meters above sea level. This cooler climate, coupled with well-drained granite and sandy loam soils, produces Shiraz that is more aromatic and structured, with a characteristic elegance and minerality. The vineyards for The Struie have an average vine age of 50 years, ensuring concentrated and complex fruit​​​​.

Winemaking

Torbreck The Struie is made from 100% Shiraz grapes, with 57% sourced from the Barossa Valley and 43% from the Eden Valley. This vintage experienced a mild growing season with cool, even temperatures and beneficial winter and spring rains, promoting a long flavor development cycle.

The wine underwent 18 months of aging in French oak, with 20% new oak used to add subtle complexity without overpowering the fruit. The wine has an alcohol content of 15%, a pH of 3.60, and an acidity of 5.84 g/L​​.

Did you know?

The name "Struie" originates from a mountain in the rugged highlands of northeast Scotland, which overlooks Torbreck forest near Inverness. The view from Struie down across the Dornoch Firth is said to be as inspiring as the view of the Barossa Valley from the Barossa Ranges​​.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep crimson hue with an almost black core.
• Aroma: Lifted aromatics of blackberry, blueberry, milk chocolate, mineral, and graphite.
• Palate: Plush, dense, and textural with a long finish. The tannins are soft yet concentrated, supporting the powerful structure and fruit weight. Notes of black and blue fruits such as blackberry and blueberry compote, milk chocolate, with graphite and mineral complexity. The oak is barely noticeable and will integrate further with time​​.

Wine Pairing Ideas

Torbreck The Struie pairs exceptionally well with rich, savory dishes:

• Steak Frites: The wine's robust structure and dark fruit flavors complement the savory and juicy steak, while its tannins cut through the richness of the fries.
• Texas BBQ Ribs: The wine's plush fruit and subtle oak harmonize with the smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors of BBQ ribs.
• Char Siu Pork: The soft tannins and complex fruit profile of The Struie balance the sweet and savory elements of Char Siu pork, enhancing the overall dining experience​​.

History of Torbreck Estate

Torbreck Vintners was founded in 1994 by David Powell, a former lumberjack, who discovered neglected old-vine Shiraz vineyards in the Barossa Valley. Inspired to create a winery, Powell began by share-farming, a system where he managed the vineyards in exchange for a share of the grape yield. This allowed him to source high-quality fruit from some of the oldest and most prestigious vineyards in the region.

Torbreck's first wine, RunRig, was produced in 1995 from just three tonnes of Shiraz and Viognier grapes. The winery quickly gained international acclaim, particularly following a highly favorable review in The Wine Advocate​​​​.

In 2008, Torbreck completed a state-of-the-art winery and bottling facility, which allowed for complete control over the vinification process.

The estate changed ownership in 2013 when David Powell left, and Peter Kight, the current owner, continues to uphold the winery's high standards​​.

Region and Vineyards

Torbreck is situated in the Barossa Valley, a region renowned for its warm Mediterranean climate and diverse soil types, ideal for producing robust and complex red wines. The Barossa Valley, protected by the Mount Lofty Ranges, is known for its hot, sunny days and cooler nights, which are perfect for growing Shiraz. The valley's soils range from clay to sandy loam and red-brown earth, contributing to the complexity and intensity of the wines produced.

The estate also sources grapes from the Eden Valley, a cooler region with higher altitudes, contributing to the aromatic and structured nature of some of its wines. Eden Valley is known for its well-drained granite and sandy loam soils, producing Shiraz that is more elegant and has a characteristic minerality.

These regions allow Torbreck to create wines with a balance of elegance and intensity​.

Wine Range

Torbreck offers a diverse range of wines, focusing primarily on Rhone varieties such as Shiraz, Grenache, and Mataro. Their flagship wines include:

• The Laird: A single-vineyard Shiraz, one of the most expensive wines in Australia, known for its power and complexity.
• RunRig: A blend of Shiraz and Viognier, often compared to the wines of Côte Rôtie, known for its rich, aromatic profile.
• Descendant: A Shiraz/Viognier blend sourced from vines planted with cuttings from the RunRig vineyards.
• The Factor: Made from old-vine Shiraz, aged in French oak, known for its deep, brooding character.
• The Steading: A blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro, inspired by Châteauneuf-du-Pape​​​​.

Did you know?

Torbreck’s name is derived from a forest near Inverness, Scotland, reflecting founder David Powell’s heritage. This influence extends to the naming of their wines, such as The Laird and The Steading, which pay homage to Scottish traditions and landscapes​​​​.