2005 The Steading

The 2005 The Steading is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mataro, and 20% Shiraz aged for 22 months in used French oak. David Powell’s interpretation of top-of-the-line Chateauneuf du Pape is spot-on. Purple-colored, it offers a fabulous nose of damp earth, garrigue, clove, kirsch, and black raspberry. Full-bodied, rich, and layered, the wine is powerful, complex and yet surprisingly light on its feet. It can be enjoyed now but will easily last for a decade. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s greatest wine estates. The top cuvees are limited production and expensive but there are also some outstanding values in the portfolio. With regard to the current vintages for the Barossa red wines, David Powell states “? 2004 is more savory while 2005 has more purity and definition. 2004 is more classic, 2005 will take longer to come around.” Importer: Jon Elkins, The Australian Wine Connection, Carlsbad, CA; www.torbreck.com

Very deep garnet colour. A wonderfully opulent nose that recalls elements of both Chateauneuf du Pape and textbook Barossa: warm blackberries, moss, game, freshly cracked black pepper and five spice with a touch of dried Provence herbs. The medium+ level of acidity perfectly balances this wine’s full body and the medium level of velvety tannins provides harmonious texture. Very, very long finish. Drink now – 2018. Tasted November 2008. Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate, Jan 2009

The 2005 The Steading is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mataro, and 20% Shiraz aged for 22 months in used French oak. David Powell’s interpretation of top-of-the-line Chateauneuf du Pape is spot-on. Purple-colored, it offers a fabulous nose of damp earth, garrigue, clove, kirsch, and black raspberry. Full-bodied, rich, and layered, the wine is powerful, complex and yet surprisingly light on its feet. It can be enjoyed now but will easily last for a decade. Oct 2007, www.robertparker.com