Torbreck ‘The Struie’ Shiraz is a phenomenal wine which is both aromatic and deeply concentrated. It is a complex wine with layers of black fruit, blueberry and violets which are further enhanced with oak notes of dark chocolate, pepper and sweet spice. There is an underlying graphite note which brings freshness and an air of coolness to the wine. The fruit is mainly sourced from the Barossa Valley but approximately 10% comes from higher vineyards in the cooler Eden Valley.

Torbreck Vintners, based in the Barossa Valley, was founded in 1994 by Dave Powell and quickly gained a reputation as one of Australia’s finest producers. Production is heavily focused on Rhone Valley varietals and there has always been a belief in terroir (A strange concept to Australians in 1994) with the winery producing several wines from selected vineyard areas rather than blending to make one wine. Dave spent some time in Scotland where he worked as a lumberjack and met his wife. Torbreck is the name of a forest which sits south of Inverness at the top of Loch Ness. I assume Dave cut some of it down in his early years! With wines named Runrig, The Laird, The Struie, The Pict and the Factor, the winery retains a very Scottish feel.