2002 Torbreck The Steading, Barrosa Valley
Deep ruby with dark mahogany tints. A tight rim.
Beautiful tertiary tones( beef jerky from bottle ageing)with just the right amount of red and dark fruit(cherries, plums). Earthy(from aged Grenache in this bottle); pungent spices(white peppery); meat tones, herbs structure and length from Mourvedre. On the palate, it is round(ripe fruit, chalky tannins), balanced(acidity and alcohol), herbie and it probably is at its peak now after 16 years. An excellent vintage for Torbreck giving nice surprises, this is an underrated GSM made with an old school spirit. This wine has great flavours as well as aromas.
Accordingly to Torbreck website, the Grenache, Mourvedre and Shiraz vines that survived the worldwide phylloxera outbreak of the 1880s that have nurtured back to life. The Steading is a collection of 45 different sources of fruit. Some of the fruit is from Torbreck's vineyard estates. These precious grapes are vinified separately and blended about their virtues. Our tasting reflects Torbreck characterisation of The Steading’s generous and supple flavours very much combined with its silken texture in a glass of wine that defines what is possible only in the Barossa.
Very consistent scores, such as:
JS93. Plenty of berry and sliced meat with game character in this wine. It’s round and balanced with soft tannins, yet delicate and complex. Drank this at BOA on Sunset in LA with a beautiful steak. Nice to see such a sturdy Shiraz aging so beautifully.
RP93. The Steading, an 8,000 case blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Shiraz. Aged 22 months in 300 liter hogsheads (foudres), it represents Australias version of Chateauneuf du Pape. The 2002 The Steadings big, spicy, earthy nose reveals notions of cherry liqueur, licorice, pepper, dried Provencal herbs, raspberries, and leather."Robert Parker Jr.
