Torbeck Wines

Reviews

  • The Wine Companion
  • Stephen Tanzer
  • The Wine Advocate
  • Wine Spectator Online
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The Factor - The Wine Companion (James Halliday)

2008 Deep, dense ruby; the bouquet is full of dark fruits, oak and lots more, the palate predictably full-bodied, but the high alcohol really does impose itself on the palate. For Torbreck lovers this may be no problem, but for others it will be a different matter. Drink by 2023. 93

2007

Inky purple. A kaleidoscopic bouquet of cassis, cherry compote, fruitcake and potpourri, along with sexy Asian spice and smoky mineral qualities and an exotic note of apricot pit. Deeply concentrated but almost shockingly energetic dark fruit liqueur flavors are complemented by candied flowers, allspice and licorice pastille and a hint of black pepper. The unflagging finish repeats the deep dark fruit and floral notes with impressive authority. This palate-stainer is awfully seductive now but I'd hold it for another five-plus years.
Drink 2015 | Date Tasted Jul 10

 94
2006 Shows exceptional generosity from start to finish, yet retains finesse; the predominantly red fruits positively dance on the back-palate and finish, uninhibited by the fine-grained tannins. Cork.
14.5% alc. Drink 2017 | Date Tasted Jul 08		 96
2005 Superb colour; exceptional mouthfeel courtesy of fine, ripe tannins seamlessly woven through the velvet curtain of black fruits; the flavours echo repeatedly around the mouth. 14.5% alc.
Drink: 2030 | Date Tasted: Aug 07		 96
2004 Deep red-purple; rich, multi-layered palate both in texture and flavour terms; silky black fruits, super-fine tannins, and a long, harmonious finish. Shiraz. 14.5% alc.
Drink: 2019 | Date Tasted: Oct 06		 96
2003 Immensely powerful and concentrated aromas; a full-bodied, richly robed array of black fruits, spice, licorice, vanilla and chocolate; persistent, ripe tannins. Ultra-careful fruit selection has paid big dividends. Quality cork. 14.5% alc.
Drink: 2023 | Date Tasted: Oct 05		 96
2002 Fragrant, luscious fruit aromas; gorgeous texture and structure; a complex array of both red and black fruits drive the wine, oak merely a vehicle; fine, filigreed tannins.
Drink: 2015 | Date Tasted: Oct 04		 96
2001 Dense red-purple; vanilla and cedar surround a rich core of black fruits; excellent extract and length; good oak.
Drink: 2016 | Date Tasted: Dec 03		 94
2000 Medium to full red-purple; a complex mix of dark, ripe plum, cherry, spice and oak on the bouquet, then a marvellously complex palate with multiple layers of flavour to the dark berry fruits, and exceptionally well handled tannin and extract.
Drink: 2017 | Date Tasted: Aug 02		 95
1999 Full red-purple; a powerful, dense bouquet with ripe plum to the fore, then gentle spice and positive oak. The smooth palate has plush, ripe, dark berry and plum fruit, fine tannins, and excellent oak integration.
Drink: 2016 | Date Tasted: Feb 02		 95
1998 Deep, intense red-purple, yet still bright; the bouquet offers a powerful mix of dark cherry and plum fruit together with a gentle touch of vanilla oak. A massive, mouthfilling wine with concentrated black cherry, plum, spice, leather and vanilla flavours complexed by moderately full tannins.
Drink: 2015 | Date Tasted: Jan 01		 94