Bob McDonald

9.6

Typical Sami Odi from those old Dallwitz vineyards. Luscious and almost thick on the full bodied palate (ripe plum and chocolate). Hard to go past Bill Benders description of “dense and delicious “. Slinky supple black fruits. Unlike many releases of Sami Odi this is not the usual multi vintage approach. This wine was solely from the 2016 vintage which was excellent in the Barossa. Also, of all of Fraser’s quirky labels this is one of the best. — a month ago

Ross Bathgate

9.6

2021 disgorgement. Extraordinary. So vibrant and complex. Perfect for our Xmas lunch with ham and turkey. — 6 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

Wow… this is a wonderful Ozzie Shiraz in that typical, oldfashioned, high-octane, push-the-pedal-to-the-metal personality.
Beautifully aged, showing a mahogany rim plus great secondaries and tertiaries over the still abundant baked plum and blackberry goodness. I’m talking smoked meat, sweet licorice candy, cocoa nibs, caramel, black pepper and olives, espresso, damp forestfloor and BBQ sauce. Delicate hints of orange zest, uplifting balsamic acidity and soft yet palpable tannines make this quite a bold but very classy drink!
Deep, dark and dense. Last bottle of a sixpack and easily the best. Terrific!

I also like the clever, tongue-in-cheek message on the backlabel: “Your wish is our Command” 😁 — 10 months ago

Kenneth

9.3

Full body, high acidity, deep ruby, high tannin , fine tannin, super smooth, good structure, dark fruit, black berry, blue berries, plum, chocolate, good finish. Good aroma, — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Brief notes. I’ve never rated Cabernet from the Barossa as high as Cab from other SA areas like Coonawarra or McLaren Vale but this Mentor was very good. Very dark in colour with leafy black currant notes. Matured for 18 months in French oak hogsheads the influence from which has been totally absorbed/resolved. Perfect balance. See previous note from February 2020. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of 67% Shiraz (co-fermented with 6% Viognier), 17% Grenache and 10% Mataro, deep Ruby with aromas of red and black fruits with floral, spice and funky reductive notes. On the palate flavors of blueberry and blackberry with black pepper spice, licorice with lively spice. Dusty tannins, long finish ending with fruit, slight oak, floral and spicy notes. — 4 years ago

Matthew W.

9.1

Been a moment since I’ve enjoy an Australian Syrah. Rich blue - black fruits, subtle spices, nicely balanced. — 5 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

vintage 2016 | very dark, concentrated force with black fruit, still very elegant, beautiful wine. — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Torbreck The Descendant Shiraz–Viognier 2022
Barossa Valley, South Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A seductive, Rhône-inspired blend of approximately 92% Shiraz and 8% Viognier, showcasing aromatic lift, silkiness, and elegant power. The Descendant leans into finesse and perfume while retaining serious Barossa depth, delivering a beautifully polished expression that feels expressive, vibrant, and effortlessly compelling.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted floral aromatics of violet, lavender, and rose petal lead, followed by ripe red and black berries, dark cherry, blueberry compote, and hints of baking spice and white pepper. The palate is silky and layered with juicy fruit, subtle savory notes, gentle cocoa, and a lingering floral-driven finish.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with a supple, flowing texture and refined tannin structure. The Viognier brings brightness and aromatic tension, keeping the wine lively, polished, and graceful despite its natural richness.

Food Pairings
Herb-crusted lamb rack. Duck breast with cherry or plum glaze. Grilled pork tenderloin. Moroccan-spiced lamb tagine. Semi-firm alpine cheeses or aged sheep’s milk cheeses.

Verdict
Elegant, aromatic, and beautifully balanced, this is a wine that highlights the sensual side of Barossa Shiraz while preserving depth and complexity. A compelling, refined expression that offers immediate pleasure and excellent aging potential.

Did You Know?
The Descendant follows the Côte-Rôtie tradition of co-fermenting Shiraz with a meaningful portion of Viognier, enhancing aromatic intensity, mouthfeel, and freshness while maintaining structural integrity.

🍷 Personal Pick
A stunning wine that delivers perfume, polish, and charm in every glass. An exceptional expression for those who love Rhône elegance layered onto Barossa generosity.
— 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Red and black fruits - a savoury plum character - also a note of creosote and tar. A lovely medium to full bodied palate - reeks of old vine Barossa Shiraz. Drinks well now but will easily last until 2030. Malcolm Stopp is the Brand Ambassador for Peter Lehmann and his comments are worth repeating, particularly the last sentence, “The bouquet beautifully incorporates dark briary fruits, chocolate and a touch of aniseed, whilst the finish is firm yet finely grained. A wine of great dignity that will continue to improve with still many years of careful cellaring. If you don’t like this wine there’s bugger all we can do……!!! — 10 months ago

Frank Kuo

9.4

Color of inky purple. Nice many leg. Nose is bold with ample acidity, dark fruits, strawberries, tobacco leaves, brown sugar, and ripe grapes. Taste of follows the nose with addition of black pepper note, mouthfeel, low tannins, more strawberry and mix if sweetness and acidity. Flavors are plenty. Aftertaste shows more warmth and hickory note. Nicely done. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Delectable - this is the Valley Floor not the Steadfast Shiraz. Inky dark Ruby red in colour, almost black. Very oaky - like aromas of freshly sawn wood. Ripe plums and earth from a warm vintage and from the “Valley floor “. Full bodied. This is the Barossa Shiraz playbook which ticks all the boxes. As a footnote Langmeil owns some of the oldest vines in Australia dating back to 1847. — 4 years ago

Shuhui Ng

9.5

Lightly spiced, black berries and caramel after taste. Very balanced and tannins were just right. — 4 years ago

Steven Lee

9.5

This wine need decanting maybe 4 hours. When opened at the beginning rather harsh and bitter muted taste. The the strong red fruit and rhubhart emerge and then more black fruit, eculpytus and earth taste. At the end it become a much better wine — 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

10

Torbreck RunRig Shiraz–Viognier 2021
Barossa Valley, South Australia 🇦🇺

Overview: 
A monumental Barossa Rhône-inspired powerhouse blend of approximately 98% Shiraz and 2% Viognier, delivering extraordinary depth, concentration, and architectural structure while retaining aromatic lift and finesse. This is Barossa at its most commanding yet disciplined, massive fruit density wrapped in precision, energy, and length. A wine that commands attention, rewards contemplation, and delivers relentless momentum from first sip to finish.

Aromas & Flavors: 
Explosive black plum, blackberry compote, cassis, and dark cherry saturate the nose, layered with violets, smoked spice, cocoa nib, graphite, and subtle savory meat tones. The palate unfolds in waves of black fruit intensity, crushed stone minerality, licorice, espresso, and warm spice, finishing long, deep, and persistently resonant.

Mouthfeel: 
Full-bodied, muscular, and impeccably structured with commanding tannins that feel polished rather than aggressive. Immense mid-palate density is balanced by freshness and lift, creating a sense of power without heaviness. The texture is authoritative, layered, and built for long-term evolution.

Food Pairings: 
Dry-aged ribeye or wagyu. Slow-braised lamb shank with rosemary and garlic. Venison with black cherry reduction. Smoked brisket. Aged hard cheeses such as Comté, Manchego, or aged Gouda.

Verdict: 
A truly elite expression of modern Barossa Shiraz, concentrated, complex, and unapologetically serious while remaining beautifully balanced and energetic. This is a reference-point wine that delivers immediate impact and exceptional cellar potential.

Did You Know?: 
RunRig is sourced from some of Barossa’s oldest and most revered Shiraz vineyards, with Viognier co-fermented in the traditional Northern Rhône style to enhance aromatic complexity, texture, and freshness.

🍷 Personal Pick: 
This wine completely captured my heart 100%, layered, commanding, and dangerously irresistible. One of those bottles that makes restraint impossible and reminds you why great wine can be genuinely emotional. A true benchmark experience.
— 5 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.3

Opened after Xmas lunch as we needed a follow up to the Black Shiraz. Did not disappoint. Mature and soft with all the lovely spice and dark fruit of the basket pressed. Lovely. — 6 months ago

Doug Powers

9.0

Lovely red and black fruits in this Barossa Shiraz, nice depth and complexity, medium-long finish, just a touch of heat in the finish, very good. — 2 years ago

with Jim

Bob McDonald

9.3

Dark dark Ruby - call it black. From the ripe 2010 vintage. Black fruits, mulberry, anise, herbs - very full bodied, very Barossa and very Penfolds. At least 10 to 15 years in front of it. As HH said undoubtedly a warm climate style, and it’s so true. On the palate ripe plum, blackberry and liquorice. Oak not as prominent as in previous tastings. Next one in mid 2025. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Here is a delicious 100 point wine from Australia.

Deep inky in color with a short brick rim. Not showing age much.

Strong sweet nose of black fruits with tobacco, raisins, dried fruits, oak, licorice, eucalyptus, light vinaigrette and peppercorn.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity.

Dry on and fruity on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee and dark chocolates.

Short finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Shiraz from Barossa Valley. Rich and elegant, with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

A good quality wine that needs a couple of hours to open up properly.

This 27 year old is still drinking very nicely. Past its prime, but still very enjoyable.

Robert Parker 100 points.

Good by itself or with food. A good sipping wine.

100% Shiraz grapes were aged in American oak barrels for 3 years.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300. — 3 years ago

Ming L

9.2

With ripe candied black fruits, steeped tea, herbal spices, cured meat, dark chocolate, and forest floor, the nose seems to evolved a bit from a year ago. Not much has changed on the palate. Probably needs another 3-4 years to enter its prime drinking window, but irresistible now.
— 5 years ago