Description

The 2021 summer growing season was mild, with even and cool daily temperatures throughout.  Enhanced by good rains provided during the winter and spring of 2020, our vineyards grew wonderful canopies and developed well-formed grape bunches.  As a result of this long flavour development cycle in the vineyard, 2021’s signature is wines of high aromatic lift with densely coloured tints and exceptional balance

Tasting Notes

The colour is inky black with a deep black dark red hue at the rim. The distinguishable characteristics of the Barossa are all present in this chewy, supple, spicy, big, expansive and voluminous wine. The nose is very strong with dark plum, liquorice, blackberry and black cherry aromas igniting the senses. You can easily detect toasty vanilla, coffee and pepper in the background. The palate has a dense concentrate of dark plum, liquorice, blackberry and black cherry fruits. The tannin balance and structure give the wine a very classy feel before the finish which is very long.

Winemaking

Ian Hongell is the chief winemaker and general manager at Torbreck. Ian is currently undertaking his 36th vintage and his eighth year at Torbreck. He was previously the chief winemaker at Peter Lehmann, where he spent almost two decades. The maturation of “the Factor” took place in a combination of new (40%), second fill and seasoned French oak barriques for a period of 24 months.

The Vineyards

The 2021 “The Factor” is a blend of the Krondorf, Rowland Flat, Greenock and Marananga vineyards. Many of these vineyards were planted in the 19th century and because of South Australia’s far-sighted quarantine policy, were not affected by the phylloxera outbreak that ravaged the vineyards of the world in the 1880s. They survive on their own roots more than a century later as clonal time capsules. Torbreck is named after a forest near Inverness, Scotland. This wine is named after the manager on a highland estate who  is referred to as “The Factor”.

Details

Country: Australia

Region: Barossa Valley

Variety: 100% Shiraz

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 15.5%

Size: 750mL