The 2003 The Struie is a 4,000-case blend of cooler climate, high altitude Eden Valley fruit combined with small amounts of Barossa grapes. Aged 8 months in wood (20% new), it is a deep, chewy, fleshy effort displaying floral, peppery, incense notes intermixed with white chocolate, blackberry, and black currant characteristics. Consume it over the next 7-8 years. David Powell, unquestionably one of the world’s finest wine producers, has an uncanny ability to discover old vine Barossa vineyards, and then secure long term contracts for their fruit. It is amazing that such high quality sources have not already been plucked by Australia’s giant wine corporations. Torbreck’s wines continue to get better and better, combining the old vine ripe fruit of Barossa with a European sensitivity to elegance and balance. The finest wines in this portfolio are pricy, but David Powell delivers some remarkable reds and whites at prices that are more than fair for the quality in the bottle.Importer: Deborah Gray, The Australian Wine Connection, Carlsbad, CA; tel. (760) 438-5714

Smoky and meaty, with a rich core of blueberry, plum and floral flavors. High-intensity, spreading beautifully on the velvety finish. Best from 2006 through 2012. 3,500 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa / Barossa Valley Select to Add