2006 Torbreck The Factor Shiraz

James Halliday
"96 pts ... Shows exceptional generosity from start to finish, yet retains finesse; the predominantly red fruits positively dance on the back-palate and finish, uninhibited by the fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2017." --07/08

Stephen Tanzer
"94 pts ... 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 fl oral 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."

Wine Advocate
"94 pts ... 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." --02/09

Winemaker's Notes
"Delicate scents of wild blackberries, pipe smoke and pepper are supported by a dark core of espresso roast, black currants and coal. The palate offers tremendous texture and combines great richness with subtle notes of olive tapenade, saddle leather and minerals. Brooding and densely packed, this majestic wine has the constitution to cellar for many years where it will slowly unravel its extravagant riches."

Technical Notes
"100% Shiraz. Small parcels of fruit from old dry grown vines are selected for their individual qualities and matured separately in both new and old French barriques. The wine was assembled in April 2008 and bottled without filtration or fining. 15.5% alc."