The 2006 Torbreck Shiraz The Factor is 100% old vine Shiraz that spent 24 months in most older barrels. The wine displays fantastic depth and richness combined with a solid, structured palate. On the nose, it shows smoky dark fruits, blackberry liqueur, raw meat, herbs, flowers and pepper. With air, a slightly wild, gamey character comes out. It’s full bodied on the palate and carries a full, silky texture, perfectly ripe fruit, serious underlying structure and a very long finish. This is stunning now but should also age beautifully over the next 12 to 15 years.

The purple/black 2006 The Factor is 100% old-vine Shiraz from the esteemed Greenock sub-region of Barossa Valley. It spent 24 months in 30% new oak. The aromatic array of balsam wood, smoke, pepper, espresso, blueberry, and licorice is eye-opening. This leads to a rich, glossy, full-flavored Shiraz with layers of succulent fruit, ripe tannin, exceptional spiciness, and a lengthy, pure finish. It will evolve for another 8-10 years and will have a drinking window extending from 2016 to 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

(100% shiraz) Youthful violet color. Powerfully scented bouquet offers blackberry, cherry-cola, licorice, violet oil and vanilla, with mounting spiciness adding vivacity. Deep in dark berry flavors but by no means heavy, offering sweet floral and licorice pastille qualities and a lashing of smoky minerals. Unfolds slowly to show brighter red fruits. An extremely young shiraz with excellent finishing clarity and an echo of cola.