2016 Torbreck Hillside Vineyard Grenache Barossa Valley Australia

This exceptional single-vineyard Grenache comes from the most southerly owned Torbreck vineyard in the Barossa Valley, The Hillside Vineyard located just north of the township of Lyndoch on the gentle westerly facing high slopes.

Despite a dry winter during 2015, rains in January and March 2016, freshened the older vines and provided long, slow ripening periods in between, which led to a stand-out vintage with high-quality fruit.

Aging: 15 months in a second fill 2400L ‘Boutes’ French oak foudre.

100% Grenache. This unique parcel has all the bright, opulent fruit characteristics that we look for in dry-grown Grenache combined with lavender, deep blackberry fruit intensity, and a seamless tannin profile due to a partial whole-bunch fermentation. The rich, luxuriant fruit was further enhanced by barrel maturation in a second fill 2400 litre ‘Boutes’ French oak Foudre barrel, which perfectly balances the wine style we were looking to achieve.

Bright cherry and raspberry fruit marks the nose of Torbreck's 2016 Hillside Vineyard Grenache. The oak signature is modest, with fruit and dried spices (cinnamon, allspice, and clove) taking the lead in this full-bodied but delicate, nimble wine.The tannins have a silky feel, lingering on the finish, where they add savory nuance. ~93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

From a small block of bush vines planted in 1949, this Grenache is ultra polished while also being hugely characterful. It leads with a nose of brambly fruit and orange peel, garrigue-like herbs and spices, citrus blossoms, and sandalwood. The fruit on the palate is tangy (the citrus note on display) and wound tightly with fine talc-like tannins and buoyed by bright acidity.This is drinking nicely now but could cellar until 2027. ~93 Wine Enthusiast.

A very bold, fleshy, and plum-driven grenache from 1949 plantings near Lyndoch in the south of the Barossa Valley. There’s attractive depth and freshness that match up with the sturdy tannins. Drink or hold. ~92 James Suckling