The 2004 Woodcutters Shiraz is a 20,000-case cuvee aged completely in old wood. Pure blackberry liqueur intermixed with hints of charcoal, tar, and pepper jump from the glass of this soft, velvety-textured, opulent, fruit-filled Shiraz. Amazingly complex for its price, this lusty, appealing, hedonist’s dream is worth buying by the case. Drink it over the next 4-5 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

Stewed plum and spicy meat flavors flow nicely through this gently rich, generous red, lingering with a touch of pepper as the finish persists. Drink now through 2010. 14,000 cases made, 7,000 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa / Barossa Valley Select to Add