Torbreck "Hillside Vineyard" Grenache 2018
(Barossa Valley, Australia) - [WA 94] [JS 93] [WE 93]

This exceptional single vineyard Grenache comes from the most southerly owned Torbreck vineyard in the Barossa Valley, The Hillside Vineyard located just north of the township of Lyndoch on the gentle westerly facing high slopes. The soil composition comprises of mostly dark red clay scattered with shale, quartzite and ironstone. These dry grown bush vines are always low yielding and consistently produce outstanding fruit.

Vintage
An above average winter rainfall led into a below average spring and summer rainfall, producing small bunches and small berries, leading to a reduced yield. Quality was certainly high, particular amongst our red varieties of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. 2018 wines will be remembered for their impressive colour, structure and longevity.

Tasting Notes
This unique parcel has all the bright, opulent fruit characteristics that we look for in dry grown Grenache combined with plush red fruits, and seamless tannin profile due to a partial whole-bunch fermentation. The rich, luxuriant fruit was further enhanced by barrel maturation in a second fill 2400 litre ‘Boutes’ French oak foudre barrel, which perfectly balances the expressive fruit profile and the savoury, old world like characters from this vineyard.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"From vines planted in 1949, the 2018 Hillside Vineyard Grenache offers up almost rose-like perfumes, plus scents of Maraschino cherries and alpine strawberries. Full-bodied, yet silky and delicate at the same time, it does a wonderful job capturing the quixotic and sometimes paradoxical essence of the variety. Big but charming, concentrated yet elegant, it lingers cheerily on the finish, framed by soft tannins accentuated by bright acids." - Joe Czerwinski (20 June, 2021)

93 Points - James Suckling 

"This is a parcel of old-vine (1948), dry-grown bush vines and matured as a single 4,500-liter foudre with bright, red florals and raspberries, as well as redcurrants and a little blood orange. The palate has the same blood-orange character and delivers a fresh, elemental and succulent expression of very pure, old-vine grenache. Languid tannins. Drink over the next eight years." (11 Sept 2020)