2018 Torbreck RunRig Shiraz
The Collective Review
You know that your wine has made it when the label no longer needs a winery. Just a single name. Like (Penfolds) Grange or (Henschke) Hill of Grace. RunRig is now it's own entity. A member of the Barossa upperclass, a cult wine with huge following, huge points and a relative snip when compared to the price of its fellow megastar siblings ala the aforementioned Grange and Hill of Grace.
But don't be fooled, there is more than just glitz and high score to RunRig. It is a truly majestic wine. A hedonistic delight, with endless flavour.
The 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.
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. 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. Read more
Critic Reviews
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. 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.
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.
Very deep red/purple colour, with a more reserved bouquet of black fruits, dark chocolate and licorice, the latter coming through more strongly on the palate. It's full-bodied and richly-flavoured, with ample tannins that run the full length of the palate leaving a cleansing but balanced after-grip. Superb intensity, line and length; not a blockbuster but full-bodied and beautifully modulated. Lots of chocolate-mocha and blackberry on the finish. A cracker of a wine and a very stylish RunRig.
Technical Attributes
-
![Producer]()
Producer: Torbreck Vintners
-
![Varietal]()
Varietal: Shiraz
-
![Region]()
Region: Barossa Valley
-
![Alcohol]()
Alcohol: 15.0%
-
![Net volume]()
Net volume: 750ml
-
![Vintage]()
Vintage: 2018
-
![Cellar to]()
Cellar until 2040
-
Style GuideLight Intense
Producer: Torbreck Vintners
Varietal: Shiraz
Region: Barossa Valley
Alcohol: 15.0%
Net volume: 750ml
Vintage: 2018
Cellar until 2040
Tasting Notes
In 2018 - a vintage firming upping in the bookies stakes as one of the most prime examples of Barossa in full flight - is a ripper. Audaciously coloured, ripe, perfumed and unctuous. It's a quality Shiraz, drenched with violets, smoked meats, tar, and blue berries.
Winemakers Note
Great wine always comes with a varied history and Torbreck is no exception. David Powell founded the winery in the mid 1990’s, taking the name of a section of Scottish woodland to majestically label his bottles of world class shiraz. Almost twenty years later, they are synonymous with royalty and prestige.
It was five years ago that Ian Hongell, star winemaker of Peter Lehmann, joined the winery and put his fingerprint on his first RunRig - the much lauded 2016 vintage.
Made from ancient vines found in the varying sub districts in the region (the oldest date back to 1858), parcels of fruit are separately vinified, aged and then painstakingly tasted and analysed before the final blend is determined. The end result is expressive not only of the vintage but of Barossa as a whole.