The 2007 Roussanne-Marsanne was selected from numerous lots that received elevage in either stainless steel or neutral oak. Light gold-colored, it has a captivating bouquet of floral notes, honey, melon, roasted nuts, and tropical scents. On the palate it is ripe and round, smooth-textured and impeccably balanced. It might well evolve for several years in the style of Hermitage Blanc. 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

The 2006 Roussanne-Marsanne (55% of the former, 45% of the latter) does a fine impersonation of a top-quality white Hermitage. The Roussanne was tank-fermented and aged while the Marsanne was barrel fermented in old oak using native yeasts where it remained until the two components were blended after 10 months. The wine is medium straw-colored with an enticing bouquet of mineral, wax, honeysuckle, citrus, and roasted nuts. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, ripe and round, while maintaining a certain elegant restraint in its seamless personality. This nicely crafted wine clearly has more nuances to reveal with additional bottle age but it can be enjoyed now with richly sauced shellfish. Torbreck also produces a small quantity of 100% Muscat Blanc in the style of a southern Rhone Muscat Beaumes de Venise. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s greatest wine estates. The top cuvees are limited production and expensive but there are also some outstanding values in the portfolio. With regard to the current vintages for the Barossa red wines, David Powell states “? 2004 is more savory while 2005 has more purity and definition. 2004 is more classic, 2005 will take longer to come around.”Importer: Jon Elkins, The Australian Wine Connection, Carlsbad, CA; www.torbreck.com