Torbreck Hillside Grenache 2017
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James
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Robert
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Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
This unique parcel has all the bright, opulent fruit characteristics that we look for in dry grown Grenache combined with lavender, deep black berry fruit intensity and a seamless tannin profile due to a partial whole-bunch fermentation. Crimson robe with a deep purple core. Aromas of licorice, aniseed, and pomegranate, and blackberry exude the glass, with hints of earth and clove. Medium to full-bodied, plush, round palate weight with a firm tannin grip on the finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A creamy and sexy grenache that reminds me of some of the top pure grenaches from Chateauneuf. Full and silky with a polished texture and a lemon and citrus undertone to the ripe fruit. Shows tension and focus. Drink now.
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Wine Spectator
Succulent spiced plum, blueberry and huckleberry flavors are elegant and powerful, showing concentration and oomph, but set against a silky frame. Details of sage, green tea and violet linger effortlessly on the long, expressive finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Torbreck may be better known for Shiraz but this Grenache, from 70-year-old bush vines, is one of its leading lights. The color of cherry juice and perfumed with aromas of bright red berries, rhubarb, red licorice, flowers and their stems and earthy spices, this is a ripe but utterly un-candied expression of this variety. The mouthfeel is soft and silky, gripped delicately by lovely, sandy-textured tannins, the vibrant red fruit and savory spice carrying through to the long finish. This pristine wine has refreshing restraint.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Matured for 15 months in a single 2,400-liter foudre, the 2017 Hillside Vineyard Grenache showcases exotic aromas of rose petals, black tea and strawberries, while some deeper black-cherry notes emerge with air. It's medium to full-bodied, with a rich, grainy texture and a potpourri of dried spices on the finish.
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Robert
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Australian Wine
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Wine &
Spirits
Torbreck, founded in 1994 by David Powell, is situated at Marananga on the western ridge of the Barossa. Since that time he has produced some of the world's finest 'Rhone varietal' wines, exclusively from Barossa fruit; this has been acknowledged by the wine press in Europe, America and Australia. The overwhelming majority of his vines are dry-grown, nearly all are 80 - 125 years old and are tended and harvested by hand.
The wines have an extraordinary combination of power, intesity, complexity and great finesse, and bearing in mind the age of the vines and the laughably low yields, no Torbreck wine could ever be accused of being heavy, cloying or over-extracted.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.