2012 Torbreck, Runrig, Barossa Valley, Australia

Considered the flagship wine of Torbreck, Run Rig has often drawn comparison with the beautifully fragrant & tautly structured wines produced from the steep slopes of the Northern Rhone Valley’s Appellation of Cote Rotie. Named one of Australia's 25 "benchmark" wines by Wine Spectator magazine. A beautiful and flawless blend of 97.5% Shiraz and 2.5% Viognier.

Opaque, glass staining & serious. An hour decanting lets the aromas flow for this beautifully constructed flagship red. At first, tightly wound but opening up with macerated red cherry, blueberry and a hint of Orange peel and Christmas cake spice. The Palate is unctuous and as full bodied as one would come to expect but still with an incredible lift and freshness on the palate. Tightly bound, svelte tannins with a vibrant black fruited and peppered length that last for 30+ seconds. Cote Rotie turned up to 11 in a very “Spinal Tap–esque” way ! Incredible persistence, a wine for the long term 2020 – 2030+.
Stuart Rae, Fine Wine Sales Manager According to Robert Parker, “Torbreck remains a Barossa Valley benchmark, as well as one of the world’s greatest wine estates.” The wines of Torbreck have a very strong Berry Bros. & Rudd staff following. We whole heartedly agree with Robert Parker (above) and Neal Martin when he says “….this is one of my favourite Australian wines, big and bold like many others, but each wine imbued with its own individuality.”

Torbreck is one of the most iconic estates in Australia and they craft a large yet quality-driven portfolio ranging from the deliciously dry Steading blanc and juicy Cotes du Rhone styled “Cuvee Juveniles” to the vinous colossi that are “RunRig” and “The Laird”. Balance is the key to these wines. This is a quality that often eludes the wines from hotter regions such as the Barossa Valley. With only good soil and middle age vines it is easy to make blockbuster reds in the Barossa; what is very difficult is to make wines with power combined with balance, lift and purity that comes with the very best old vines. It is this balance of power and purity that is the hallmark of Torbreck wines and, quite simply, this is why we like them so much. All the wines are impressive, and the estate deserves all the praise it gets.