Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2021

Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2021

 

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Torbreck
Woodcutter's Shiraz 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : Barossa Valley
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 15°
  • Grappes : 100% Syrah

Crafted from select up-and-coming vineyards, this Shiraz is known for its lush fruit character, soft tannins, and balanced structure, making it approachable while also promising excellent aging potential.

Experts Score Vintage
JS James Suckling 96 2021
RP Robert Parker 91 2021
JH James Halliday 92 2019
WE Wine Enthusiast 92 2019
DCT Decanter 91 2019
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 91 2019
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

This Shiraz is sourced from various renowned sites across Marananga, Greenock, Seppeltsfield, Gomersal, Moppa, Lyndoch, and Ebenezer in the Barossa Valley, a region celebrated for producing some of the world’s finest Shiraz. The 2021 growing season in Barossa was marked by a mild summer with consistently cool temperatures, which, combined with ample winter and spring rains in 2020, resulted in well-developed canopies and perfectly ripened grapes. This balanced growing season allowed for extended flavor development in the vineyard, creating wines with lifted aromatics, dense color, and exceptional balance.

Unlike Torbreck’s older-vine cuvées, Woodcutter’s Shiraz celebrates the vibrancy of younger vines, with a focus on fruit purity and aromatic intensity. The diverse microclimates across these Barossa subregions contribute to the wine’s complexity, while the fertile soils support the growth of fruit with a full-bodied structure and bright acidity.

Winemaking

The Woodcutter’s Shiraz 2021 is crafted entirely from 100% Shiraz, carefully harvested between February 25 and April 18, 2021. The wine is aged for 12 months in seasoned French oak hogsheads and foudres, a technique that softens the tannins without overwhelming the fresh fruit character. This gentle oak treatment allows the vibrant flavors of Shiraz to shine, adding layers of spice and texture that enhance the wine’s complexity.

This Shiraz is characterized by Torbreck’s meticulous viticultural and winemaking practices, which include minimal intervention to preserve the natural character of the fruit. The result is a medium to full-bodied wine with a supple mouthfeel and well-integrated tannins, designed to be enjoyed in its youth or cellared for up to 10 years.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Crimson with red plum hues.
  • Aroma: A fragrant bouquet of dark plum, blackberry, cassis, and dark cherry, layered with spice notes of star anise, cardamom, and a hint of Chinese five spice.
  • Palate: Medium to full-bodied with caressing tannins and a smooth texture. The palate offers lifted flavors of red and black fruits, including cherry, raspberry coulis, and blueberry, balanced by a spicy complexity and a lasting finish.

Did You Know?

The Woodcutter’s Shiraz is named as a tribute to the early career of Torbreck founder David Powell, who once worked as a lumberjack. Despite being crafted from younger vines, this Shiraz benefits from the same careful vineyard management and winemaking techniques as Torbreck’s more established offerings, bringing premium quality to an accessible price point.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Barbecue ribs with smoky barbecue sauce: The wine’s rich fruit and spice notes complement the savory flavors of barbecue.
  • Grilled lamb chops with rosemary and thyme: Pairs well with the wine’s dark fruit and herbal undertones.
  • Mushroom risotto with truffle oil: Highlights the wine’s earthy and spicy components.
  • Charcuterie board with aged cheddar and smoked meats: The wine’s structure and lush fruit balance the richness of cured meats and cheeses.

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​​​​.

James Suckling (JS) : 96 Points (2021)
Lovely ripened blackberries and raspberries. Al dente. Full-bodied yet so refined and focused with crisp acidity and ultra-fine, creamy tannins. Succulent and crunchy but focused and structured. Bright and purposeful. Drink after 2024 but already hard to hold back. Screw cap. (10/2022)

Robert Parker (RP) : 91 Points (2021)
Ever the reliable wine in the Torbreck lineup (challenged only by the beauty of the Steading, but nevertheless), the Woodcutters has tightened up over time. My first introduction to it almost 10 years ago recalls a plush, full-bodied wine that delivered all the Barossa feels and flavors that one could possibly hope for. These days, and today specifically, the 2021 Woodcutter's Shiraz is tight and tense, with black brooding fruit set to a rigging of firm, savory tannins. The oak is subliminal in this wine, leaving only the tannins to shape the fruit. Really handled well. Impressive.

James Halliday (JH) : 92 Points (2019)
Blend of 7 districts across the full expanse of the Barossa floor; matured 12 months in well-seasoned French oak hogsheads and foudre. Glossy, deep, spicy and strong, this is a serious play for the first in Torbreck's arsenal of 9 Barossa shirazes. A full, vibrant purple hue anticipates depth of spicy blood plums, blackberries and mulberries. Dark chocolate oak and medium-grained tannins sit just as they should on a long and generous finish. No nonsense, just joy. *Silver* (TS) (8/2021)

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 92 Points (2019)
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.

Decanter (DCT) : 91 Points (2019)
The low-yielding vintage of small berries with dark, thick skins lends intensity and structure to the palate of blood plum and vibrant raspberry and blackberry. Ageing in well-seasoned French oak hogsheads and foudres make for a vivacious expression, with tapering, spicy tannins and a a milk chocolate finish. Classic Torbreck sourcing from young vines in Marananga, Greenock, Seppeltsfield, Gomersal, Moppa, Lyndoch, Ebenezer vineyards. (SA) (7/2021)

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 91 Points (2019)
Saturated ruby. Ripe red and blue fruits on the spice-accented nose. In a plush, generous style, showing very good depth as well as energy to its sweet black raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Closes long, appealingly sweet and smooth, with repeating spiciness and round even tannins that make a late appearance.

Torbreck The Struie 2021
Torbreck The Struie 2021
Torbreck
The Struie 2021
WS
94
RP
96
WE
92
Torbreck The Struie is an expressive and complex Shiraz, blending fruit from the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. It showcases the harmonious interplay between these two prestigious regions, delivering a wine of both elegance and intensity.
49,50 €
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Torbreck The Steading 2021
Torbreck The Steading 2021
Torbreck
The Steading 2021
RP
95
JS
94
WS
92
Torbreck The Steading is a benchmark Barossa Valley blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro, offering a symphony of ripe red fruits, savory spice, and earthy complexity.
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Torbreck Woodcutter
Torbreck Woodcutter's Semillon 2020
Torbreck
Woodcutter's Semillon 2020
VN
91
WS
90
RP
91
Fashioned with the savoury, food friendly dry whites of Southern France in mind, the Woodcutter's Semillon is the ideal tonic after a long day in the vineyard...
23,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles 2022
Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles 2022
Torbreck
Cuvee Juveniles 2022
RP
92
WS
92
WE
91
Torbreck Cuvée Juveniles is a vibrant and expressive wine inspired by the classic Côtes du Rhône bistro wines. It combines the traditional Barossa varieties with Rhone varietals, offering a unique blend that delights both Francophiles and Barossa fans.
25,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Torbreck Run Rig 2020
Torbreck Run Rig 2020
Torbreck
Run Rig 2020
WS
93
RP
97
WE
96
The RunRig has drawn comparison with the beautifully fragrant & tautly structured wines produced from the slopes of the Northern Rhône Valley's Appellation of Côte Rôtie.
261,00 €
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Torbreck Old Vines GSM 2019
Torbreck Old Vines GSM 2019
Torbreck
Old Vines GSM 2019
Celebrating the character of old vines, Torbreck Old Vines GSM delivers a medium-bodied red that balances red fruit intensity with refined tannins and a long, harmonious finish.
20,90 €
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Torbreck Descendant 2019
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Torbreck
Descendant 2019
139,00 €
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Torbreck The Laird 2018
Torbreck The Laird 2018
Torbreck
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RP
99
JS
97
Torbreck The Laird 2018 is an opulent and meticulously crafted single-vineyard Shiraz, sourced from the iconic Gnadenfrei Vineyard in Marananga, Barossa Valley. This wine epitomizes the grandeur of Australian Shiraz, showcasing the unique characteristics of this historic vineyard.
695,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Torbreck The Factor 2020
Torbreck The Factor 2020
Torbreck
The Factor 2020
129,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
27,50 €
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