Grayson Stack

9.7

Amazing. Smooth, full — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours and seemed to only gain momentum until the last sip. The 1993 Octavius pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving towards a slightly garnet rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated black and blue fruits: blackberries, plums, blueberries, leather, graphite, black olive, dried purple flowers, dried green herbs, a mix of decomposing organic and inorganic earth, along with some gentle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, luxurious and savory with loads of umami. This represented one of the older Australian wines I've ever had and I thought it was fantastic. Drink now through 2033. — 10 months ago

Brad Jensen

9.0

Dry, but elevated and mineral driven. Drank from a double magnum, there’s little noticeable yeast or brioche-like flavor. Nose is dry yellow stone fruit, lemon and maybe a talc or other dry crushed stone. Great for drinking on its own or as a mimosa, with no sign of losing momentum. — 2 years ago

David Shaw

9.0

Back label says “Red Table Wine”, no mention of Bordeaux. Ruby red, moderate to high pigment extraction, yet very good clarity. Herbal and raspberry aromas with a hint of mint and eucalyptus. Cool cherry and raspberry flavors initially evolve into red and black plum, moderate seed bitterness and some skin astringency on finish. Might need a little decanting time for the tannins to resolve — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

10

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.

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.
— 3 months ago

Ana Bumgardner

9.1

2015 - ages nicely - with homemade pizza. Perfect pairing. Easy to drink red. Sad when the bottle was empty!! — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2020 Côte a Côte is youthful and coy, displaying a subtle blend of dusty stone, lavender and wild blueberries. It's pure pleasure on the palate, velvety smooth yet full of energy, with crisp red and black fruits that cascade throughout. This finishes spicy, leaving a primary concentration and subtly grippy tannins that frame the experience without slowing its momentum. The 2020 is an understated beauty that will require some cellaring to blossom fully. (Eric Guido, Vinous, May 2023) — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Almaviva (EPU) – Blend – 2022
Puente Alto – Chile 🇨🇱

Overview
The second wine from the Franco-Chilean partnership at Almaviva. The 2022 EPU is cabernet-dominated yet crafted for approachability. The blend reads approx. 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carménère, 3% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 
It delivers a more accessible expression compared to the flagship Almaviva, with plenty of power and Chilean terroir signature.

Aromas & Flavors
Cassis and blackberry liqueur wrapped with violets, graphite, cedar spice and a touch of mocha. The ripeness stands out, yet the freshness and terroir voice anchor it.

Mouthfeel
Deep and plush, yet polished. Velvety tannins and a full core of dark fruit make it substantial , but it remains more approachable than the top-tier bottling. Strong finish with good momentum.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, aged lamb chops, porcini risotto with truffle, or char-grilled vegetables with smoked paprika.

Verdict
An expressive, polished, and beautifully balanced blend. While it leans toward powerhouse, the finesse, lift and Chilean elegance make it stand out. A top pick in its category.

Did You Know?
“EPU” means “two” in Mapuche (indigenous Chilean language) and represents Almaviva’s second label, crafted from the same estate terroir as the flagship bottling. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours and this gained momentum as the minutes rolled by. The 2016 “San Valentino” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: black berries, black plum, Morello cherry, spiced meat, old wood, varnish, cumin and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tangy and slightly savory. These are showing very well at this stage and I don’t expect that to change for many years to come. Drink now with patience (perhaps even a 30min decant) and through 2036. — a year ago

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9.6

A rich and darkly inviting blend of plum sauce, clove, cocoa and camphor makes the 2016 Taurasi Riserva Radici impossible to ignore. This is pure class, pliant and enveloping on the palate, with silken waves of ripe red and black fruit guided by brisk acidity. Citrus and inner herbal tones add tremendous depth. The 2016’s regal tannins come forward through the close, framing the experience with youthful poise without slowing its momentum, leaving chalky mineral tones and nuances of nectarine to linger. The balance here is something to behold. Bury this beauty deep in the cellar. (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2023) — 3 years ago