Torbreck RunRig Shiraz 2020

RunRig is the flagship red of Torbreck, the Barossa Valley winery founded in 2004 by David Powell and named, like the wine, after his time in the Scottish Highlands. It is built on old-vine Shiraz co-fermented with a small portion of Viognier, a northern Rhône technique where the white grape's skins help fix colour and lift the aromatics. The Barossa is one of Australia's warmest classic regions, and its hot, dry climate and old, low-yielding vines give deeply concentrated fruit, high alcohol and the dark, spiced character of warm-climate Syrah. The wine ages twenty months in French oak, where extended slow oxygen exchange firms and integrates the muscular tannins while adding vanilla and smoke. The colour is deep, near-opaque purple. The nose shows concentrated dark plum, blackberry, black pepper and dark chocolate with a floral lift from the Viognier. The palate is full bodied and intense, with ripe powerful tannins, warm alcohol and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant for an hour or more. It suits robust roast and grilled meats.