It’s become a tradition at home to pull out something nice the day after Christmas and enjoy it with a nice meal. The focus is always the wine and not so much the pairing- this year it was vegetable Lasagna.
Torbreck RunRig 2003 – something from the Cellar.
This is Torbreck’s flagship Shiraz and is sourced from 8 different Barossa vineyards ranging from 94- to 158-year-old vines and is co-fermented with 4-5% Viognier. At the 20-year point this qualifies as an exceptional definitive Barossa Shiraz.
Your patience will be most definitely rewarded if you have some of this in your cellar, it is drinking so exceptionally well at the moment. Absolutely impressive.
The nose is enticing with layers of blackberry jam, blueberries, mocha, and plums.
The palate is reminiscent of a 1971 Penfolds Grange I drank in 1996. Silky smooth mouthfeel, impressive balance- everything is where it should be, exceptional length on the back end and an almost raisin sweetness on the finish. Absolutely no bricking round the edges despite being 20 years old. Seamless layers of blackberry jam, blueberries sweet raisins, mocha, plum, black current, with secondary notes of apricot, leather, and
sweet tobacco- indicating some of the grapes were sourced from northern Barossa.
I would bet on this lasting another 10 plus years- 2033.
Food pairings should and red meat dishes- just make sure it is worthy of Royality.
If you can get your hands on this wine for under $200, go for it. Highly recommended.
If you’re curious Wine Advocate gave this 99 Pt.
Vine to Table 