Descendant

PRODUCER NAME	Torbreck Vintners
COUNTRY	Australia
REGION	South Australia
APPELLATION/DOC/SUB REGION	Barossa Valley
BRAND or PRODUCT NAME	Descendant
VINTAGE	2005
GRAPE VARIETY(IES)	Shiraz; Viognier
STYLE	RED/STILL/DRY/OAKED

Shiraz (92%) and Viognier (8%) grown in Torbreck's own 'Descendant' vineyard next to the Marananga winery. This was planted in 1994 by Dave Powell using cuttings from the RunRig vineyards (where there are some of the oldest vines in the world) and on their own roots.

The hand-picked grapes are co-fermented: the Shiraz is crushed directly on top of the Viognier, which has been lightly pressed for use in RunRig. The two varieties are fermented together, and the wine is then matured for 18 months in barrels which have been used for RunRig.

TASTING NOTE

Deep purple-red in colour; the Shiraz from the Marananga vineyard displays tar and black olive characters, which combine in a fascinating way with the jasmine and apricot aromatics of the Viognier; the palate is savoury, densely textured and rich; the Viognier lifts all into another dimension. Big, complex and rich.

AWARDS	Wine Advocate October 2007 - 97 points
FOOD PAIRING	Such is the richness and power of this wine that the accompanying food should be simple but very good - the best roast or grilled red meat or game, mature cheese.
ORGANIC	No
VEGETARIAN	No
VEGAN	No