The 2006 Les Amis is 100% Grenache aged in new oak for 18 months. Purple-colored, it exhibits an enthralling nose of smoky oak, roses, garrigue, lavender, black cherry, and black raspberry. It conceals enough ripe tannin to support 5-7 years of additional cellaring. This layered, lengthy effort should be at its best from 2012 to 2024. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times.There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.Importer: Jon Elkins, The Australian Wine Connection, Carlsbad, CA; www.torbreck.com

Ripe and generous, offering a supple mouthful of cherry, black pepper, bacon and spice flavors that rocket through a layer of fine tannins. The spices, including cardamom and anise seed, come through strongly on the finish. Drink now through 2017. 300 cases made.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa / Barossa Valley Select to Add

From vines planted more than a century ago, this is dark-fruited Grenache that features hints of mint or camphor alongside ample spice. It’s full bodied and supple-textured, round in the mouth without being overblown, finally finishing with a touch of alcoholic warmth. Seems ready to go now–2015. ——J.C.(10/1/2010)—— 91