Torbreck Vintners
The Steading Barossa Valley Grenache Blend
Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
A Barossa GSM. Took a while to balance out, but with some air the wine showed its elegance. I also learned that Mataro is the Spanish/Aussie name for mouvedre. 😎 🇦🇺 Bright Grenache in the foreground with a peppery undertone. Smooth and silky. Mellow tannins.
A Barossa GSM. Took a while to balance out, but with some air the wine showed its elegance. I also learned that Mataro is the Spanish/Aussie name for mouvedre. 😎 🇦🇺 Bright Grenache in the foreground with a peppery undertone. Smooth and silky. Mellow tannins.
Feb 25th, 2024
A doppelgänger for top-drawer modern Châteauneuf, the 2018 The Steading from Torbreck is an immaculate Barossa GSM with quite disarming purity. The nose explodes with blueberry, strawberry, liquorice, Turkish delight, lavender and baking spices, a scent which feels luxurious - like stepping into a five star hotel. The palate is extremely supple, sweet like fruit cake on entry but gradually develops in umami, with some smoked bacon and dried cherry. The tannins are almost imperceptible, as is the alcohol - it checks in at 15% but is deftly handled and there’s no sense of heat whatsoever. This isn’t what I was expecting from this wine, a wine I have fond memories of serving to guests in the restaurant I worked in almost ten years ago. It was a perfect match for braised short rib of beef with Port beef jus, which needed a sweeter style of red (I had considered Bordeaux for this evening). This wine was superb, a pleasant surprise and I’m delighted to have bought this year’s release by the case.
A doppelgänger for top-drawer modern Châteauneuf, the 2018 The Steading from Torbreck is an immaculate Barossa GSM with quite disarming purity. The nose explodes with blueberry, strawberry, liquorice, Turkish delight, lavender and baking spices, a scent which feels luxurious - like stepping into a five star hotel. The palate is extremely supple, sweet like fruit cake on entry but gradually develops in umami, with some smoked bacon and dried cherry. The tannins are almost imperceptible, as is the alcohol - it checks in at 15% but is deftly handled and there’s no sense of heat whatsoever. This isn’t what I was expecting from this wine, a wine I have fond memories of serving to guests in the restaurant I worked in almost ten years ago. It was a perfect match for braised short rib of beef with Port beef jus, which needed a sweeter style of red (I had considered Bordeaux for this evening). This wine was superb, a pleasant surprise and I’m delighted to have bought this year’s release by the case.
Jun 25th, 2023
What an odd nose. Madeirised notes with heaps of coffee liqueur and balsamic vinegar, plus a vegetal edge and a touch of soya sauce. Very soft on the palate and practically tannin-less. Followed the nose with the coffee and cooked fruit characters, finishing with a bitter burnt caramel note. Clearly an impossible blind given the condition, but I still went ahead to call it a new world Cabernet Sauvignon, based on a hunch informed by green vegetal notes on the nose.
What an odd nose. Madeirised notes with heaps of coffee liqueur and balsamic vinegar, plus a vegetal edge and a touch of soya sauce. Very soft on the palate and practically tannin-less. Followed the nose with the coffee and cooked fruit characters, finishing with a bitter burnt caramel note. Clearly an impossible blind given the condition, but I still went ahead to call it a new world Cabernet Sauvignon, based on a hunch informed by green vegetal notes on the nose.
Apr 17th, 2022
Amazed at the candied red cherry color of the wine. Almost zero tawny. Bright primary fruits of blackberry and some cedar on the nose. Body is medium, totally softened over the years. Signs of large oak and red raspberry. Very impressed with how well this wine is doing.
Amazed at the candied red cherry color of the wine. Almost zero tawny. Bright primary fruits of blackberry and some cedar on the nose. Body is medium, totally softened over the years. Signs of large oak and red raspberry. Very impressed with how well this wine is doing.
Feb 14th, 2021
Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.
Another one of my contributions for 4th Friday. Took about 30mins to blow off a bit of funk and wake from its slumber, but it became very perfumed and showed the spice of Grenache. This was 60/20/20 Grenache/Mataro/Shiraz. Dark peppercorn, potpourri, cinnamon, baked cranberries and fig aromatics. The spice profile stayed consistent from front palate to finish. Rhubarb, savory umami, mulberries, and a very unique herbal crunch toward the finish. This is still very much alive, though not getting better. Many thanks to my buddy @Bill Bender !
Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.
Another one of my contributions for 4th Friday. Took about 30mins to blow off a bit of funk and wake from its slumber, but it became very perfumed and showed the spice of Grenache. This was 60/20/20 Grenache/Mataro/Shiraz. Dark peppercorn, potpourri, cinnamon, baked cranberries and fig aromatics. The spice profile stayed consistent from front palate to finish. Rhubarb, savory umami, mulberries, and a very unique herbal crunch toward the finish. This is still very much alive, though not getting better. Many thanks to my buddy @Bill Bender !
It is a hot sticky night here in the Chicago area and I have opened the 2014 Torbreck "The Steading" Barossa Valley Rhone Blend. 77% Grenache, 15% Mataro and 8% Shiraz.
The nose reveals black cherry, raspberry, anise, cinnamon, spice, herbs, violet and smokey oak.
The palate is very savory, a little heavy on the oak, strawberry, black cherry, black pepper, licorice, violets and earth.
This wine is medium to full bodied, velvety with medium acidity and medium + gripping tannins that lead to a long smokey peppery finish. Have a wonderful weekend and please be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
It is a hot sticky night here in the Chicago area and I have opened the 2014 Torbreck "The Steading" Barossa Valley Rhone Blend. 77% Grenache, 15% Mataro and 8% Shiraz.
The nose reveals black cherry, raspberry, anise, cinnamon, spice, herbs, violet and smokey oak.
The palate is very savory, a little heavy on the oak, strawberry, black cherry, black pepper, licorice, violets and earth.
This wine is medium to full bodied, velvety with medium acidity and medium + gripping tannins that lead to a long smokey peppery finish. Have a wonderful weekend and please be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Vintage 2016 / elegance and balance.
Vintage 2016 / elegance and balance.
Dec 15th, 2018
give it an hour & a half and she sheds & shines ~ not too shabby w some heritage pork belly bruschetta
give it an hour & a half and she sheds & shines ~ not too shabby w some heritage pork belly bruschetta
Apr 8th, 2018Not the best release of this wine; lacks freshness and packed with heat. Choc berry scents, vanillin, poached strawberry.
Not the best release of this wine; lacks freshness and packed with heat. Choc berry scents, vanillin, poached strawberry.
Mar 24th, 2018