The Wine Companion
Stephen Tanzer
The Wine Advocate
Wine Spectator Online
Media Reviews (Global)
The Struie - The Wine Companion (James Halliday)
2010
A dark and syrupy black-fruited shiraz, with incredible concentration, ample levels of tannin, and a thickly textured palate; the length is remarkable, but be warned this is very ripe indeed, and concentration is the key.
Drink
by 2018.
2009
Strong, deep red-purple; a blend of Barossa and Eden Valleys; the complex bouquet and layered palate are driven by fruit, not by oak, although there is no shortage of the latter; spice, blackberry and black cherry join in the long palate sustained, as it is, by ripe tannins. There is no time not to drink the wine. Shiraz.
Drink
by 2029.
2008
A brighter and fresher shiraz than The Factor, with dark chocolate, essency black fruit and a dollop of thyme; the palate is unctuous, but not heavy, with freshness and savoury mineral character providing lift and life to conclude.
Drink:
2020 |
Date Tasted:
Jan 11
2007
Very similar colour to RunRig, despite no vigonier; a more obviously focused wine on the bouquet and palate alike, black fruits and oak pushing other characters to the sidelines. The suspicion is this wine may emerge as the better of the two in a decade or so.
Drink:
2025 |
Date Tasted:
Aug 10
2006
Faintly dull edges to the colour; but the palate proclaims the quality of the wine, flush with blackberry, spice and bitter chocolate, tannins and oak exactly positioned. Cork. 14% alc.
Drink:
2014 |
Date Tasted:
Mar 08
2005
Both the bouquet and palate sing the same song; blackberry, spice and quality oak woven together with ripe, balanced tannins. It is so difficult to fault these wines within the parameters, particularly at 14.5° alcohol. Barossa Valley Shiraz. 14.5% alc.
Drink:
2025 |
Date Tasted:
Mar 07
2004
Good colour; bursting with layers of juicy, sweet, blackberry, plum, cherry and dark chocolate fruit flavours; oak and tannins just a backdrop. Barossa/Eden Valley. 14.5% alc.
Drink:
2019 |
Date Tasted:
Feb 06
2003
Complex licorice, spice and sweet earth overtones to blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and licorice; medium to full-bodied; marvellous tannin management. Barossa/Eden Valley. High quality cork.
Drink:
2018 |
Date Tasted:
Mar 05
2002
A cascade of black fruits and spices; medium-bodied but very long and intense; excellent tannin and oak management.
Drink:
2017 |
Date Tasted:
Mar 04
2001
Medium to full red-purple; intense, pure blackberry varietal fruit aromas have first class oak in support; a beautifully crafted wine in every way, offering blackberry, a touch of chocolate, the same excellent oak of the bouquet, and fine, lingering tannins to complete the palate. A Barossa and Eden Valley Shiraz blend. The name is derived via the view from Struie across the Dornoch Firth. As one expects with Torbreck wines, the wine lives up to the clever packaging.
Drink:
2016 |
Date Tasted:
Mar 03