Reminiscent of a Rhone Valley Chateauneuf du Pape, the 2003 The Steading is an intriguing, complex blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 20% Shiraz. Aromas of garrigue, Provencal herbs, pepper, black cherries, raspberries, and currants are followed by a medium to full-bodied red possessing great fruit, surprising elegance, and loads of complexity. It will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 5-7 years. David Powell, unquestionably one of the world’s finest wine producers, has an uncanny ability to discover old vine Barossa vineyards, and then secure long term contracts for their fruit. It is amazing that such high quality sources have not already been plucked by Australia’s giant wine corporations. Torbreck’s wines continue to get better and better, combining the old vine ripe fruit of Barossa with a European sensitivity to elegance and balance. The finest wines in this portfolio are pricy, but David Powell delivers some remarkable reds and whites at prices that are more than fair for the quality in the bottle. Importer: Deborah Gray, The Australian Wine Connection, Carlsbad, CA; tel. (760) 438-5714