Rubus Special Edition Barossa Shiraz 2018

Rubus Old Vine Shiraz Barossa Valley is a blend of 98% Shiraz & 2% Viognier, this richly concentrated Barossa Shiraz is indicative of the style for which Australia's top production region is famous. The wine is dark in color, rich and dense. There are ample tannins balanced by the powerful fruit. You will note the hints of blackberries, mint, and eucalyptus flavors upfront and in the finish. Try Rubus Barossa Shiraz with rich dishes like lamb shank, Osso bucco, beef steak or roast duck.

Review:

"Blackberry, currant and blueberry flavors are dense, intense and powerful, mingling with black licorice, sage and spice notes, with a brambly undertone. A spicy hint lingers on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 1,200 cases made. - MaryAnn Worobiec"

- Wine Spectator (November 15th 2018), 90 pts

Thorn Clarke Terra Barossa Shiraz is made from 100 percent Shiraz

Comments

Deep purple red. Aromas of ripe plums, cherries and earth with subtle notes of vanilla and cloves. The aromas follow through onto the palate with a fruit focus, subtle oak notes and soft, rounded tannins. The wine walks the line between medium and full bodied with a plush mouthfeel.

Vinification Notes

The grapes are crushed and de-stemmed into fermenters. Yeast is added immediately once in fermenter and the ferments are pumped over twice daily to maximise colour, tannin and flavour extraction. Cooling is used to ensure ferment temperatures remain in the 22-25 degree celcius range which will allow the fruit to display maximum fruit expression. Pressing then occurs approximately seven days after crushing and the  wine is then put into predominately American oak to mature.

Review:

"Estate-grown, crushed and destemmed, twice-daily pumpovers in the fermenter, 12 months in French oak. Deluxe treatment for a $20 wine. It is medium-bodied, and over-delivers on its price. Mouthfilling satsuma plum and blackberry compote. - James Halliday"

- Halliday Wine Companion, 91 pts

Torbreck Runrig Shiraz - Viognier is made from 98% Shiraz, 2% Viognier.

RunRig often draws comparison with the beautifully fragrant and tautly structured wines from the steep slopes of the Northern Rhône Valley’s Appellation of Côte Rôtie. Shiraz from old dry grown Barossa vineyards is blended with Viognier, complementing the strengths and complexities of these individual parcels of fruit, whilst giving the resulting wine a further dimension.

The Highland clans used a ‘RunRig’ system to distribute land amongst their clansmen in a series of widely dispersed holdings. The emphasis was not on any one farm but rather the communal element of the whole. Shiraz from old dry grown vineyards is blended with Viognier, complementing the strengths and complexities of these individual parcels of fruit, whilst giving the resulting wine a further dimension.

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 Complex and lifted aromatics of dense black fruits such as blackberries, satsuma plum and black cherry complimented with dark chocolate, cacao been and liquorice. The opulent mouthfeel, liveliness, and vibrancy is a real standout on a plush and velvety textured palate structure. The complex layers and fruit characters continue to evolve in the glass with firm but drying tannins seamlessly balanced with long acid and statuesque posture and length..

Torbreck's 2018 RunRig needs a bit of air right now, as the nose and palate truly open up and expand after a while in the glass. Unlike some vintages, it's rather tight and cedary upon first pour, then relaxes to reveal hints of stone fruit, blueberries, cherries, pastry crust and baking spices. In the mouth, it's full-bodied and concentrated, richly textured and marked by ripe tannins, which leave behind a velvety, mouth-coating finish tinged with licorice and dark berries. While approachable now—and even damn enjoyable—it deserves another several years in the cellar. Drink the 2018 Descendant while waiting.

-Wine Advocate 99 Points

In the 27 years since its founding in 1994, Torbreck has become one of the icons of Australian wine, championing the old-vine treasures of the Barossa. This year's releases include stunning versions of the winery's top cuvées: The Laird, Les Amis and RunRig. All three rate 97 points or better, with the 2018 RunRig being this taster's personal favorite for its superb balance. Not far behind is the 2018 Descendant, which sells for a fraction of the price and is more approachable as well. That's the one that shrewd wine drinkers will seek out. Fortunately for those of us with skinnier wallets, even Torbreck's other bottlings are excellent, with special mention going to the 2018 Hillside Vineyard Grenache, from vines planted in 1949, and the 2018 The Gask, from Eden Valley vines planted in 1960. Even the entry-level Woodcutter's line is solid, with the 2020 Rosé, 2020 Semillon and 2019 Shiraz all scoring 88-90 points. In short, for consumers seeking bold, flavorful wines that reflect their origins, Torbreck is among Australia's top producers

-   Wine Advocate Joe Czerwinski

SALE!

Lodi, American Viticulture Area (AVA) – The Lodi AVA is located in the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley, Central Valley California, east of the San Francisco Bay. Lodi has warm days and cool nights, similar to the Mediterranean climate. The lower temperatures that occur in Lodi result in fruit with good acidity. A wide range of soils are found in the Lodi AVA, but they generally are deep, loamy, sandy, rocky soils similar to that found in southern Rhone valley.

The Lodi appellation totals almost one half million acres, and the approximately eight hundred growers farm roughly 90,000 acres. Lodi produces more Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel than any other wine region in California, but it is probably best known for its old vine Zinfandel. The vines are often head trained giving them a classic old world appearance.

Zinfandel – The Zinfandel grape is a hearty variety that produces grapes with high sugar levels, often resulting in wines with a high alcohol content. Thought to be a relative of Primitivo that is found in southeast of Italy (the boot heel), Zinfandel can be made into a wide range of wine styles, including White Zinfandel, light or full bodied red wines, and even late harvest desert style wine. However Zinfandel, especially Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi, is usually made into a full bodied, spicy red wine with characteristics of red fruit, raspberry, and cherry.

Produced in the heart of Lodi AVA.

Rubus Zinfandel Lodi is made from 98% Zinfandel + 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Bottled after aging in French and American oak for 9 months.

Rubus Zinfandel Lodi presents with ruby red in color, with red fruit, raspberry, and spice on the nose. This wine is medium in body, with notes of ripe cherry, cedar box, cinnamon, anise, black pepper, and hint of smoke on the palate. It has a long, silky finish.

Selected by Fran Kysela MS.

The Factor is predominantly from the Gomersal and Marananga sub-regions of the Barossa, providing dense texture and richness to the palate with subtle notes of olive tapenade, saddle leather and minerals. Ripe aromas of plum and wild blackberries, olive, pepper and spice are all supported by a dark core of espresso roast, ripe blackberries and saltbush. Brooding and densely packed, this lavish wine has ample generosity to cellar for many years, where it will slowly unravel.

Review:

A blend of parcels that sees a 24-month elevage in barriques and has Western Barossa black fruit, as well as a strong, savory, tarry thread, spiced earth and orange peel. Very velvety tannins, packed with rich dark fruit that drive so so long. The cooler vintage has dialed this in nicely. So much concentrated flavor. Seamless texture. Excellent length. A great Factor!

-James Suckling 96 Points

Aged in about 50% new French oak and built for cellaring, the 2018 The Factor is a concentrated, structured Shiraz that should age well for up to two decades. Scents of cedar shavings and vanilla mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate folds in notes of ripe blackberries and mulberries, plus hints of baking spices. Complex, firm and age-worthy, with a long, focused finish, it should be at its best after about five more years.

-Wine Advocate 96 Points

The Rubus Project was created by Fran Kysela as a way to source & sell incredible wines at value prices. All wines in this international project are hand-selected by Fran Kysela. Rubus wines are fruit driven, true-to-type values that over deliver - a true representation of quality for the consumer at an excellent price.

Grapes are sourced from the Lessini hills in the Colli Berici, where the cold nights allow the aromatic compounds in the grapes to develop. The vines, 20 years old on average, are planted on calcareous soils of volcanic origin.

Rubus Pinot Noir  is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir from Veneto Italy

Tasting notes: Nice garnet and red color. Expressive and charming on the nose with cherry and blackberry aromas. On the palate, the wine has a nice spicy note. The length to the finish is round and long.

Vineyards: 
The grapes are grown primarily on the hills south of Vicenza, the Colli Berici, where the hillside sites ensure lower yields and better ripeness of the grapes.
The vineyards are located in the hills and are south-west facing. The hillside sites experience cooler nights, allowing the aromatic compounds in the grapes to develop. The vines are trained using the Guyot system, planted on calcareous soils of volcanic origin.
Average age of the vines is around 20 years old.

Vinification: 
The grapes were harvested, destemmed, crushed and then cool soaked for 24 hours. Maceration on the skins took place before fermentation at temperatures of up to 22°C. Following malolactic fermentation, 30% of the wine was aged in oak for four to five months prior to bottling.

Winemaker: Alberto Marchisio
Acidity: 5.3 g/Liter
RS: 5.6 g/Liter
pH: 3.42

Nice with roasted or grilled beef, game and a very good companion for matured cheese.