Torbreck ‘Woodcutter’s’ Shiraz is a delightfully deep and velvety wine with dark berry fruit and wonderful freshness. It is made from fruit grown on younger vines and expresses great exuberance and complexity. Black cherry, plum and blueberry dance around on the palate which has a rich texture and flashes of pepper and liquorice. An elegant and lovely wine.

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.