Torbreck Runrig Shiraz 2021 750ml

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. Torbreck is the name of a forest near Inverness, Scotland. You’ll find more than a passing nod to the Celts in our wine naming conventions including this reference to the “RunRig” system of land distribution among Highland clansmen. Their widely dispersed holdings were managed communally rather than as any one farm…not unlike this complementary blend of Shiraz and Viognier making the sum of the parts greater than the whole. - Torbreck 97 Points - 2021 Pour moi, since Ian Hongel took over the reigns at Torbreck, the house 'thumbprint' seems less percussive, the trademark Torbreck plushness remains, but subregion and site seem to have a little more light on it. The RunRig in a strong vintage is always much anticipated. Shiraz with 2% viognier, from across Torbreck's best sites, aged for 30 months in French oak (50% new). It's a dark-eyed, powerful release, with clove-studded blackberry and black plum fruits and deep, dark spices, cardamom, star anise, licorice, espresso, cedar, 'Old Jamaican' chocolate and earth. Thick-shouldered and meaty with layers of silty, fine tannin and a crème de cassis-like flow to the fruit as it powers off. - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion, 2024