2023 Torbreck, The Struie, Barossa Valley, Australia

A lovely balance of Eden Valley spices and Barossa power and strength, with aromas of blackberries, graphite, olive tapenade, violets and purple fruit. The palate is full-bodied with a velvety texture, ultra-fine tannins and flavors of mulberries, mint, pomegranates, cured meat and dark chocolate. A silken finish for this excellent release from a cool vintage. Drink or hold.

Dense purple colour; pungent notes of spiced berries, licorice and Christmas cake spice make way for a plush and chewy core. Tannins frame the intense fruits: they're the necessary scaffolding this full-bodied red requires, signing off with chalky persistence. It's a little stoic in its youth, but time in glass allows the fruit to unfurl and relax. This is a fresh and modern take on the Barossa. A second glass is not out of the question. It will win many hearts and age nicely.

The 2023 The Struie is a blend from Eden and Barossa, melding the higher altitude austerity and structure of Eden with the density and muscle of the Barossa. I like this wine, because if you sit with it for long enough, you can clearly see the component parts side by side. The whole makes the understanding of the parts. You get the blueberry, black cherry, licorice, crushed quartz, aniseed and dark chocolate of Eden married to the bloody, earthy, gritty muscle of Barossa. Awesome. 15% alcohol, sealed under natural cork and wax.