Awards and Accolades

96 Points, Chris Shanahan
"Like a black hole sucking in stars, Torbreck "The Laird" Shiraz 2010 ($750) held 30 tasters captive, powerless to reach the other nine reds on the table. And little wonder. The Laird's deep, dark power sucked the marrow from our bones and filled our heads with awe. But further out in the Torbreck constellation, we later found the heavenly, if not divine, Struie. Powerful Shiraz from the Barossa Valley, tamed by more elegant Eden Valley fruit, gives The Struie sumptuous, earthy, savoury richness, with layers of harmonious flavours and tannins."

2012 Vintage: 94 Points - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
"A blend of Barossa and Eden Valleys. An extremely powerful and complex wine, with a major question hanging over its head in the form of tis alcohol; there is an ocean of black fruits, but the alcohol warmth is a take it or leave it issue."

The Winery

The Eden Valley lies within the Barossa Range and consists of river valleys and undulating hills covered with large gums, rocky outcrops and Aboriginal sites. It is a high-altitude area of between 400 and 500 metres, compared with the Barossa Valley's elevation of 200 to 300 metres. This higher altitude, with its (one to two weeks) later ripening pattern, results in more distinctive varietal flavour characteristics, lower pH and higher acidities. Whilst the Eden Valley region is most associated with the white wine variety, Riesling, it produces elegant, tautly structured Shiraz which is highly prized by winemakers.

This Torbreck Shiraz cuvée from the cooler climate, higher altitude vineyards of Eden Valley is skillfully blended with fruit from Barossa Valley which traditionally provides greater richness and intensity. A blend of 44 year old Eden Valley Shiraz vines and 80 year old Barossa Shiraz, The Struie is aged for 18 months in a combination of old and new French oak barriques prior to bottling.