Torbreck The Steading (Red) 2024 [in bond ex vat] (6x75cl)

Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro

6x75cl * Vegan * 15.5% ABV * Barossa Valley, Australia

"With more weight, darkness and power than the beautiful 2023, this is a purple-fruit-soaked wine with an extraordinary stance on the palate, and the aura here is of a very grand wine, and it is always a bargain price!" Matthew Jukes

Torbreck was founded in 1994 with a commitment to preserving some of the oldest vines on the planet in the dry-grown vineyards that surround the Barossa Valley. Planted in the 1840s, the vines still thrive and bear fruit with wonderful concentration. They are honoured through the production of fine wines with richness, structure and length with the ability to age gracefully. 

On a highland farm in Scotland the collection of barns, stables and outbuildings is known as a Steading. In the Barossa Valley the varieties Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz all stand in their own right, however in blending, their strengths create a complex wine of solid, earthy structure. It is sourced from Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz vines that survived the worldwide phylloxera outbreak of the 1880s, and a century later, the vine-pull scheme in the Barossa in the 1980s. The protection of this old vine resource of the Barossa Valley is central to the Torbreck story and this wine, more than any other, is an indication of what is possible from these historic cultivars.

The lead up to the 2024 harvest saw timely spring rainfall and calm conditions for flowering and fruit set. A mild to warm summer was idyllic, propelling even growth and fruit development. A warm early summer brought on shiraz showing bright colours and fragrance, persisting for several weeks accelerating to powerful dark fruit and fragrantly spiced characteristics. A cooler break mid-April allowed fruit to develop deep colours and firm tannins.

This wine is matured for 20 months on fine yeast lees in large 4500l French oad foudre vats. Natural malolactic fermentation occurs during the time in barrel.

Deep crimson to dark plum core. Intensely primary on release with lifted red fruits dominating the aromas of red cherry, red plum and redcurrant. Secondary notes of Chinese five spice, fennel seed, star anise and sarsaparilla root combine adding complexity to the primary fruit flavours. The palate continues with red fruits cascading across soft chalky tannins and dense mouthfeel with textural savoury notes and fine acid adding length to the balanced palate. Enjoy with lamb in any cuisine or an eggplant curry. Serve at 16C/55F.

"The Steading is a 57% Grenache, 33% Shiraz, and 10% Mataro blend, and it is another vintage in a run of stellar wines under this label. With more weight, darkness and power than the beautiful 2023, this is a purple-fruit-soaked wine with an extraordinary stance on the palate, and the aura here is of a very grand wine, and it is always a bargain price! With 5000 cases made, this suave creation is absolutely extraordinary, and I cannot recommend it enough." 19/20, Matthew Jukes

"The 2024 The Steading is complex and full of flavor but not weight on the palate. This is a wine that shows ripe, dense fruit, with blood plum, pomegranate, blackberry and dark chocolate in profusion, alongside notes of licorice, clove and star anise. This is very good and has fine tannins. This is a blend of Grenache (50%), Shiraz (30%) and Mataro/Mourvedre (20%). There is sweet fruit on the mid-palate. 15.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. Drink 2026-2034." 93/100, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

Please note prices are in-bond and exclude VAT and Duty, which are payable when the wines are withdrawn from in-bond storage.