Torbreck Wines > The Wines > Woodcutter's Shiraz

2008	Inky purple. Intense cassis and blueberry on the nose, with building spiciness and a sexy floral quality. Richer than usual for this bottling, offering sweet black and blue fruit flavors and solid tannins. Rich but not overly heavy, finishing with very good breadth and juicy persistence. This includes lots of fruit that is normally destined for Torbreck's flagship Run Rig, as that wine wasn't made in 2008.
2007	Inky ruby. Sexy dark berry and cherry compote on the nose, with subtle mocha and incense notes. Sweet blackberry and cherry-cola flavors pick up some dusty tannins with air. Pleasantly juicy and fresh, with clean finishing fruit and a late jolt of licorice. This became more floral and minerally with air while maintaining its seductively fruity personality.
2006	Dark purple. Peppery blackberry and blueberry on the nose, with a complex bouquet of dried flowers, baking spices and minerals. Sweet dark berry flavors are sharpened by white pepper and graphite, which leave an intriguing Szechuan peppercorn-like numbing effect on the palate. Pretty complex for an entry-level wine, and with textbook syrah character. Finishes with sweet cherry and cassis flavors and excellent length.
2005	Dark red. Sweet boysenberry, candied plum, floral oils and cured meat on the nose, with a refreshing mineral tone adding lift. Juicy and nicely balanced, with an attractive interplay of red and dark berry flavors given focus by crisp but not strident acidity. Finishes tangy and bright, with no obtrusive tannins. A delicious introduction to the sexy house style at a manageable price.
2004	Medium ruby. Pungent, spicy aromas of cassis, dark cherry, licorice, espresso, violet and almost medicinal cracked pepper; a very pure expression of the variety. Firm, juicy flavors of black cherry, anise, dill, basil and rose petal. Finishes with velvety, slightly bitter tannins. This practically screams syrah.

Woodcutter's Shiraz - Steven Tanzer (IWC)