THEWINEMONOLOGUES.COM: 2006 Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz

2006 Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz

Shiraz and Syrah are both names for the same red wine grape. But, don't confuse it with Petite Sirah, a different red wine grape grown mostly in California.

The Shiraz / Syrah grape is called Syrah in the US, France and many countries. In Australia it is called Shiraz, where it is considered the finest red wine grown there. Shiraz is the most widely planted red grape in Australia. It has become so popular in Australia that some American wine producers now grow "Australian-like Syrah" wines. . . and some even now just use the Shiraz moniker for their wines.

Barossa Valley is located approximately 70 kilometers northeast of Adelaide – just over an hour's drive from the South Australia’s capital city. It has become one of Australia's best known and well respected wine regions.

"Torbreck Vintners was founded by David Powell in 1994. The roots go back to 1992 when Dave, who was then working at Rockford, began to discover and clean up a few sections of dry-grown old vines.

Near lifeless, he nurtured them back to health and was rewarded with small parcels of fruit that he made into wine. Dave was able to secure a contract for the supply of grapes from a run-down but ancient Shiraz vineyard.

He managed to raise enough money to share-farm the vineyard, a practice which involves paying the owner a percentage of the market rate for his grapes in return for totally managing the vineyard.

This share-farming principle has enabled Torbreck to use fruit from the very best vineyards in the Barossa Valley, which is home to some of the most precious old vines in the world." (www.torbreck.com/History/tabid/58/Default.aspx).

The Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz is unfined and unfiltered (yes, there will be some sediment in the last glass). Deep dark inky purple in color, it has a variety of pepper, spicy blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry aromas. Full-bodied and smooth on the palate, the wine delivers gobs of full-flavored blue and black fruits that last and last.

Some of Australia's Shiraz wines have become "fruit bombs" with over the top, almost sweet fruit candy taste. This Shiraz is not one of those wine. It is big and complex and would pair well with a good steak dinner. Go out and find one. . . mate!