The youngest wine we tasted was the sensational 2002 Les Amis (100% Grenache from 100+-year-old vines). This is a Grenache aged in new oak (something I normally don’t like), but at age seven it has thrown off any evidence of its barrique aging, exhibiting classic notes of black raspberries, black currants, lavender, earth, and pepper. Full-bodied with gorgeous purity, a multilayered texture, and a long finish with no hard edges, it should have another 8-10 years of life left. Torbreck’s flagship wine, the Run Rig, is made from 40- to 120-year-old Shiraz vines with some co-fermented Viognier (usually around 3%), tips the scales between 14-15% alcohol, and is aged 30 months in French oak. In contrast to the way they taste upon release, neither the 1998 or 1997 Run Rig revealed any oak.

Polished, round and deftly balanced to let the pure blueberry and plum flavors sail effortlessly over the palate, finishing with a refreshing zip of acidity without losing any of the smoothness. The finish sails on and on. Grenache. Drink now through 2010. 100 cases made, 35 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa / Barossa Valley Select to Add