Top Scores for Torbreck

Top Scores for Torbreck

The latest releases from Torbreck have received a set of outstanding scores from the Wine Advocate in a recent tasting conducted by Erin Larkin on 10 April 2025.  Three wines, the 2022 Torbreck Runrig, the 2020 Torbreck Forebear and the 2020 Torbreck The Laird all received scores of 98 points, while the 2022 Torbreck Descendant achieved another remarkable score with 97 Points.  A further 16 wines all scored more than 90 points, highlighting the level of excellence that Chief Winemaker, Ian Hongell and his team have delivered at Torbreck.

Writing about the vintages that she reviewed, Erin Larkin refers to them as being ‘like points on a compass, with the wines from each of the year’s showing the distinction and eloquence of the conditions that grew the grapes.

At the end of her report about these vintages she concludes ‘This is a superb release of wines’.

‘’This is a superb release of wines’’

2022 Torbreck RunRig
– 98 points

On the palate, the wine has everything we could hope for—intense, balanced red fruit, a splay of ductile tannins and such a light fluffiness to the profile that I find it most appealing indeed.

‘I love this wine. It’s a superstar’

2020 Torbreck The Forebear
– 98 points

The 2020 The Forebear is sourced from the oldest plantings in the Hillside Vineyard in Lyndoch—12 rows planted in the early 1850s. The palate is shaped by intense graphite tannins, which feel closely knit and exclusively the property of old vines.

‘A monumental wine, it needs space and quiet to be able to absorb the layers of complexity and undulating waves of flavour through the finish’.

2020 Torbreck The Laird
– 98 points

The 2020 The Laird is from the Gnadenfrei vineyard in Marananga, planted in 1958. The Marananga growing area is known for producing powerful, muscular, tannic Shiraz, and I tend to find the full-throated shout of flavour and concentration to be both convincing and a little exciting.

‘The dry-grown vineyard has been there longer than many of the people saying it can’t be done. There’s something in that’

2022 Torbreck Descendant
– 98 points

The 2022 Descendant is a co-fermented blend of Shiraz and Viognier (8%), and the wine exudes masses of floral perfume, which translates accurately in the mouth. It is silky and intense; the tannins are ductile and pervasive.

‘Awesome wine. Superb’

Amongst the other wines reviewed by the Wine Advocate were:

• The 2022 Torbreck The Factor (96 Points) – ‘A big, powerful wine but balanced too. Excellent’

• The 2023 Torbreck The Struie (95 Points) – ‘Awesome’

• The 2023 Torbreck The Grower’s Cut (95 Points) – ‘A brilliant wine. Excellent’

•  The 2022 Torbreck The Pict Mataro (95 Points) – ‘A wine that speaks so clearly of Barossa’

•  The 2023 Torbreck The Gask (95 Points) – ‘The fruit naturally produces the concentration and power that we see here in the glass, and it speaks of the Eden so clearly in its expression’.

• The 2024 Torbreck Cuvée Juveniles Blanc – ‘The balance of the 2024 season is evident in the glass and on the persistent finish. This is very good’.

• The 2022 Torbreck Les Amis Grenache (94 Points) – ‘A powerhouse of a wine’

• The 2024 Torbreck The Steading Blanc (94 Points) – ‘This is very good’

• 2024 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Semillon (94 Points) – ‘I like the focus and detail here; the wine shows length and precision’

• 2024 Torbreck Viognier (93 Points) ‘The 2024 season is so far showing to be balanced, concentrated and detailed’

• The 2023 Torbreck Hillside Vineyard Shiraz Roussanne (93 Points) – ‘It’s a lovely wine. I like the authenticity of it’

• The 2024 Torbreck Marsanne (93 Points) – ‘The wine has dappled detail and harmony that is most pleasing. A delight’

• 2023 Torbreck The Steading (93 Points) – ‘’Shapely tannins define the palate, and the finish is long and concentrated’’

• 2024 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Rosé (92 Points) – ‘The wine conveys earthy richness and density endemic to the variety’

• 2023 Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles (92 Points) – ‘It lacks nothing in the way of freshness, personality and detail. It’s a beautiful wine’

• The 2023 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz (92 Points) – ‘It’s excellent and a great value’