Torbreck Wines > The Wines > Cuvee Juveniles

2009	60% Grenache and 20% each of Shiraz and Mataro. Bright red. Sexy aromas of candied red berries, spicecake, anise and rose, along with a sneaky note of white pepper. Refreshingly brisk redcurrant and strawberry flavors give way to deeper cherry and put on weight while retaining urgency. There's a pinot-like precision here that's very suave, and the finish is brisk, focused and very persistent. I could drink this all day.
2008	60% Grenache and 20% each of Shiraz and Mataro. Ruby-red. Black raspberry and blueberry on the nose, with subtle fl oral and spice qualities adding complexity. Juicy and appealingly sweet, with lively red and dark berry fl avors and tangy minerality. There’s nothing heavy about this wine. The black raspberry note recurs on the focused fi nish. Livelier than the 2007 and the best version of this bottling I’ve yet tasted.
2007	60% Grenache and 20% each of Mataro and Shiraz. Medium red. Blackberry and cassis on the nose, with subtle cocoa and roasted coffee qualities. Sweet, jammy dark berry flavors are hit with a late jolt of vanilla. Quite soft and with no obvious tannins, this easygoing wine finishes sweet and lightly spicy. I'd serve this with grilled, strongly seasoned red meat.
2006	Medium red. Spicy redcurrant and strawberry aromas are lightly kissed by a hint of cracked pepper. Lithe, bright and straightforward, perhaps a tad simple, with crisp red berry flavors, light tannins and building sweetness on the finish. Serve this light, fruity wine with a slight chill.
2004	Full red. High-toned raspberry and redcurrant aromas are complicated by notes of dried oregano, thyme and exotic green cardamom. Medium-bodied, gently structured, fresh and bright in the mouth, displaying sappy black raspberry fruit. Finishes rich, with a touch of heat.
2003	Medium red. Bright strawberry, raspberry and rose petal aromas; quite dominated by the grenache today. A supple midweight with gentle, succulent red berry flavors and a light peppery note. Finishes sweet, round and juicy, with a strong flavor of strawberry.
2002	Bright red-ruby. Fragrant, spicy aromas of blueberry, raspberry and slightly stewed plum are vibrant, meaty and musky, showing undertones of animal hide and underbrush. Velvety-smooth and harmonious; a distinctively Australian expression of an easy-drinking Rhone red. Brambly black and red fruit flavors complicated by leather and charcuterie notes. Finishes fresh, fine and persistent.
2001	Slightly hazy red-purple of medium depth. Pungent meaty, farmyard aromas of spicy, confectionary red cherry, raspberry and dark plum. Earthy and rustic but supple and savory; a wild, briary, early-drinking red with penetrating ripe, spicy fruit. Finishes tight but fine, with soft tannins. Not recommended for those tasters who insist on squeaky-clean wines.
2000	Bright medium red. Nuanced, Northern Rhone-like aromas of raw currant, smoked meat, licorice and black pepper. Fat and fleshy but with good peppery lift and sound supporting acidity. At once roasted and sappy. Finishes with firm tannins and very good persistence. There nothing heavy about this Australian shiraz.
1999	Ruby-blue color. Black plum, violet, licorice and a slightly rubbery suggestion of tank. Brisk and concentrated but supple, with good texture and length. Slightly drying tannins.

Cuvee Juveniles - Steven Tanzer (IWC)