Barossa Boy
Torbreck Vintners
The Factor Barossa Valley Shiraz 2020
Well this was the shock of the year for me. We had this exact same wine back in October 2023 with our friends overlooking the Fumina valley in the Tooronga Mnts of Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. I rated a 10!!! Top of the top. Couldn’t be better. This wines launched me into orbit and it took days for me to come down. So, with such great anticipation we thought to close out a phenomenal year with another bottle. It was intense, it was super grippy, layered… but the fruit had gone and to me it was totally unbalanced. How is that possible??!! Is it me, is it the wine, what could it be? Oh well. So many more wines to explore. Happy New Year everyone!! — a month ago
Rockford
Basket Press Barossa Valley Shiraz 2005
Opened after Xmas lunch as we needed a follow up to the Black Shiraz. Did not disappoint. Mature and soft with all the lovely spice and dark fruit of the basket pressed. Lovely. — a month ago
Torbreck Vintners
Descendant Barossa Valley Shiraz Viognier 2022
Torbreck The Descendant Shiraz–Viognier 2022
Barossa Valley, South Australia 🇦🇺
Overview
A seductive, Rhône-inspired blend of approximately 92% Shiraz and 8% Viognier, showcasing aromatic lift, silkiness, and elegant power. The Descendant leans into finesse and perfume while retaining serious Barossa depth, delivering a beautifully polished expression that feels expressive, vibrant, and effortlessly compelling.
Aromas & Flavors
Lifted floral aromatics of violet, lavender, and rose petal lead, followed by ripe red and black berries, dark cherry, blueberry compote, and hints of baking spice and white pepper. The palate is silky and layered with juicy fruit, subtle savory notes, gentle cocoa, and a lingering floral-driven finish.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with a supple, flowing texture and refined tannin structure. The Viognier brings brightness and aromatic tension, keeping the wine lively, polished, and graceful despite its natural richness.
Food Pairings
Herb-crusted lamb rack. Duck breast with cherry or plum glaze. Grilled pork tenderloin. Moroccan-spiced lamb tagine. Semi-firm alpine cheeses or aged sheep’s milk cheeses.
Verdict
Elegant, aromatic, and beautifully balanced, this is a wine that highlights the sensual side of Barossa Shiraz while preserving depth and complexity. A compelling, refined expression that offers immediate pleasure and excellent aging potential.
Did You Know?
The Descendant follows the Côte-Rôtie tradition of co-fermenting Shiraz with a meaningful portion of Viognier, enhancing aromatic intensity, mouthfeel, and freshness while maintaining structural integrity.
🍷 Personal Pick
A stunning wine that delivers perfume, polish, and charm in every glass. An exceptional expression for those who love Rhône elegance layered onto Barossa generosity.
— 5 days ago
Glaetzer
Amon-Ra Barossa Valley Unfiltered Shiraz
My first wine of 2026 is 2012 Amon-Ra by Graetzer Barossa Valley Unfiltered Shiraz. We had a Japanese sukiyaki dish paired with this wine. A flavor that evokes a sense of majestic energy. Smooth texture with a long finish. Nice.
2026年最初のワインは、グレツァー・バロッサ・バレーの2012年アモン・ラ・ノンフィルター・シラーズ。このワインには日本のすき焼きを合わせました。雄大なエネルギーを感じさせる味わい。滑らかな口当たりで余韻が長く続きます。素晴らしい。 — a month ago
Yalumba
The Signature Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2006
Lots of mint on the nose (69% Cabernet Sauvignon; 31% Shiraz) together with blackberry. On the palate plenty of drive and power in this Cabernet Shiraz blend - layers of fruit, oak and spice. Rich and full bodied - the perfect accompaniment for a vintage Porterhouse steak - Waygu marbelling. Oak has integrated since the tasting 5 years ago. A pity that it takes 20 years for Yalumba’s Signature red to reach its peak but probably true. Interestingly the wine is matured for 22 months in American, French and Hungarian barrels coopered at Yalumba. This was the last bottle from a dozen originally purchased. — 2 days ago
Dandelion Vineyards
Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz 2018
At peak maturity. — 12 days ago
Freddy R. Troya
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz–Viognier 2021 Barossa Valley, South Australia 🇦🇺
Overview A monumental Barossa Rhône-inspired powerhouse blend of approximately 98% Shiraz and 2% Viognier, delivering extraordinary depth, concentration, and architectural structure while retaining aromatic lift and finesse. This is Barossa at its most commanding yet disciplined, massive fruit density wrapped in precision, energy, and length. A wine that commands attention, rewards contemplation, and delivers relentless momentum from first sip to finish.
Aromas & Flavors Explosive black plum, blackberry compote, cassis, and dark cherry saturate the nose, layered with violets, smoked spice, cocoa nib, graphite, and subtle savory meat tones. The palate unfolds in waves of black fruit intensity, crushed stone minerality, licorice, espresso, and warm spice, finishing long, deep, and persistently resonant.
Mouthfeel Full-bodied, muscular, and impeccably structured with commanding tannins that feel polished rather than aggressive. Immense mid-palate density is balanced by freshness and lift, creating a sense of power without heaviness. The texture is authoritative, layered, and built for long-term evolution.
Food Pairings Dry-aged ribeye or wagyu. Slow-braised lamb shank with rosemary and garlic. Venison with black cherry reduction. Smoked brisket. Aged hard cheeses such as Comté, Manchego, or aged Gouda.
Verdict A truly elite expression of modern Barossa Shiraz, concentrated, complex, and unapologetically serious while remaining beautifully balanced and energetic. This is a reference-point wine that delivers immediate impact and exceptional cellar potential. A bottle that redefines what power and precision can coexist as.
Did You Know? RunRig is sourced from some of Barossa’s oldest and most revered Shiraz vineyards, with Viognier co-fermented in the traditional Northern Rhône style to enhance aromatic complexity, texture, and freshness.
🍷 Personal Pick This wine completely captured my heart 100%, layered, commanding, and dangerously irresistible. One of those bottles that makes restraint impossible and reminds you why great wine can be genuinely emotional. A true benchmark experience.
— 5 days ago