Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Woodcutter is entry level for Torbreck. For just under $20, a very good Shiraz for the money.

This is young and full throttle. Alcohol seems hotter than 15%. But their reds need time.

Lots of ripe; mulberries, blackberries to pie, gooseberries, black raspberries & dark candied black cherries. Anise into black licorice, sweet tarriness, black ground pepper, fresh tobacco, leather, barrel shavings, dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, dry crushed rocks, red flowers, lavender, violets, full round acidity and nicely balanced, big tensioned, well structured, lush, elegant, well polished finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on spice and pleasant earthiness.

It needs to shed its baby fat. Let rest another 3-5 years before opening. In Australian Shiraz hard to beat at this price point. — 20 days ago

Vino Joe

9.9

Utterly magnificent.. stunningly good and near perfect. Hits all my buttons and is my favorite wine. Let decant about 90 minutes. Smooth as silk. Bursting fruit mixed beautifully with forest and truffle like earthiness. — 8 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!


Dark Inky in color with a reddish/ purplish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, light dried fruits, cedar, light vanilla, herbs, licorice, spices, dark chocolates and light cola notes.

Full bodied and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, black cherries, black currants, bitter herbs, earth, chocolates, cedar, eucalyptus, tobacco leaf, peppercorn and light vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a wonderful Merlot from Columbia Valley. Soft and fruit forward. Rich and nicely balanced.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 90 minutes of air time.

This 8 year old Merlot is complex and spicy. Really enjoyed the nose at this point, and the high alcohol is well integrated by now.

Easy drinking and a good sipping wine. Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

I had this vintage a few times before, and it is always delicious. I just love Michel Rolland wines.

A blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in French oak barrels (85% new).

14.9% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$75. — 8 months ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Deep ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nose of red fruits with light earth notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black currants, black plums, cherries, spices, tobacco, earth, light wood, dark coffee and black pepper.

Smooth finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This 6 year old is a very easy drinking Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley in France.

Good right out of the bottle, and gets more complexity as it opens up. Tannins show up after 45 minutes of airtime.

I had it 4 years ago, and it is drinking pretty much the same, although it did gain more complexity. Will not get any better from this point, so drink up.

Good by itself as a sipping wine and good with food. I gave it a light chill and paired it with cheeses and crackers.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$40. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

A very good left bank classed growth (5th growth) from a good vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon dominant aromatics (74%). Blackcurrant and cedar - a little tomato bush. A good wine but to state the obvious does not have the class and complexity of the higher classed growths. For example 3rd growth 2009 Chateau Palmer is a stunning wine - very rich, complex with a long life in front of it - very much superior to Chateau Batailley. — 2 months ago

Ellen Clifford

9.3

I opened this on my birthday (it seemed apropos). Like its big brother (sister/horse-er?), it is a St-Émilion Grand Cru…and I tried the 2021, which, omg, I feel bad I have committed so much wine infanticide in my life…this is good now but shows SO much promise for age-ousity (new wine adjective, adverb?) Made of 60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. Blackberries, tobacco, slight violet notes and toasty cedar on the nose initially, heavy twirling teases out hints of red plum. The palate starts earthy, broadening across the mid-palate to reveal juicy, juicy cassis (red and black) and a touch of dried vines that reads as enriching, not drying—inching further towards perfume on the finish. The tannins are the melt-in-your-mouth type—they make themselves known and then relax. I loved this wine. Give it air if you open it now, lots of air and twirl it like it’s the belle of the ball, but ideally, give it a little more time. I’m not sure when it will peak, but it should continue to evolve favorably over the years. — 10 months ago

Eric Halim

9.3

On nose its dominant blackberries,some red fruits, florals, spices like pepper, oak,

On palate, wine is still tannic at first taste, gave it breathe for 60-90 minutes, mouth coating acidity, its not too bold, but it offers good structure with medium intensity. Its drinkable now, cheers everyone! — 5 months ago

"Odedi"

9.0

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby in color, almost Inky, with a wide reddish/brick rim.

On the nose sweet cherries, raspberries, plums, black currants, tobacco leaf, light cedar, licorice, eucalyptus, black pepper, vegetables, black tea, herbs, Indian spices and lights acetone.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light oak, tobacco leaf, herbs, light vegetables, earth, light forest floor, black tea and peppercorn.

Medium minus in length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 6 year old Merlot from Bordeaux is still drinking nicely, but will not get any better from this point on.

Showing nice complexity at this point. Elegant and good right out of the bottle. Feels fresh on the palate, but the nose shows more age.

I gave it an hour in the decanter to open up. Lots of herb notes show up as it opens up.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses and crackers.

A blend of 75% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$20. — 6 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.2

Okay. Again the same dilemma. If a wine does not meet expectation is it basically bad (for me)? 🤔 because in life everything is relative, right? Any thoughts on puzzling matter??The wine was well balanced, dark red fruit flavors, polished, smooth tannins, good intensity and concentration, but limited length and lacking any meaningful complexity… Eight year old left bank Bordeaux. A fourth or fifth growth winery, maybe not, can’t remember for sure. Do remember what I paid though, $120. Definitely too much for what we experienced this evening…. as to our expectations. — 10 months ago

with Tammy

"Odedi"

9.1

Sitting for lunch in the heart of the city of Bolgheri, at a great restaurant, I had to try something I never had before. This entry level Bordeaux blend was a nice surprise.

Purple in color with a purplish rim.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blueberries, plums, black currants, cherries, light oak, spices, light earth, herbs, tobacco leaf, dark chocolates, licorice and a touch of vanilla.

Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Bordeaux blend from Tuscany is already drinking nicely, even right out of the bottle. Spicy and rich.

Opulent with lots of fruits, but also some earth notes to compliment the fruits.

Tannins show up after 30 minutes of airtime. A great nose shows itself after 90 minutes in the decanter. Much better once it opens up, so be patient.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food. Tangy, spicy and entertaining. I paired it with beef stew.

A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 15% Petit Verdot. Aged in oak barrels for 14 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$30. — a year ago