The Shiraz for the 2006 The Descendant is sourced from a single vineyard and co-fermented with 8% Viognier. It was aged for 18 months in seasoned French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it emits an expressive, sexy perfume of violets, wood smoke, black pepper, espresso, blueberry, and chocolate. Full-bodied, on the palate, this voluptuous effort has great concentration with a noticeable uplift from the Viognier, tons of spicy black fruits, enough ripe tannin to evolve for a decade, and 60-second finish. It should provide pleasure from 2016 through 2036. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times. There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio. Importer: Jon Elkins, The Australian Wine Connection, Carlsbad, CA; www.torbreck.com

A blend of 92% Shiraz and 8% Viognier, the 2006 Torbreck Descendant comes from Run Rig cuttings and is fermented in older RunRig barrels. Aromatically, the wine is almost NOT Aussie with deep, pepper laced dark fruits, tobacco, eucalyptus, charred wood and meaty notes. The herb/tobacco character sets the wine apart from your typical blockbuster and the wine shows restraint and complexity. It really shines in the mouth with perfect structure, medium to full body, a seamless, pure texture and a long, refined finish. A gorgeously built wine, this should deliver tons of pleasure over the next 10 to 15 years.

(92% shiraz and 8% viognier) Inky violet. Powerfully scented, brooding aromas of boysenberry, cherry compote, licorice and smoky minerals; aeration brings up brighter black raspberry and blackberry qualities, which carry onto the palate. Broad and deeply concentrated, presenting a seductive array of sweet dark berry liqueur flavors and a late jolt of tangy minerals. Clings tenaciously to the palate and finishes with lingering blackberry and candied plum flavors. This really deserves some patience.

Bright colour; thoroughly unusual Shiraz/Viognier, mainly due to the texture and mouthfeel tightly bound within a web of all-embracing furry tannins. Drink by 2021.

- James Halliday (winecompanion.com.au) tasted Jul 2008