Torbreck 2001 The Struie Sept 05

 

An interesting bouquet, it showed good complexity with earthy mushrooms barnyard characters, vanilla oak, chocolate, perfumed, fresh vibrant blue/black berry fruits, and with a surprising amount of mint and lifted menthol. The palate is rich, ripe, with loads of chocolate and has excellent complexity and whilst it may have a touch of a Brett in it, it is certainly in the “adds complexity” range rather than being a concern. The palate follows the bouquet and heads into the blackberry flavour spectrum, but unlike many other wines, there is nothing overripe or stewed about this one. The slightly powdery, yet almost silky tannins are resolving as expected and another couple of years should see the wine soften considerably further, however, with a minor amount of Brett in the wine, I am not sure that such a good idea as Brett can get worse with age. Muscular-weight, it has very good intensity and finishes with reasonable length. Most enjoyable, it is rated as Highly Recommended. Without the Brett, it would have been rated as Excellent. When I first tried the wine some years ago, I wasn't tempted to buy any as there was a slight underlying niggling doubt, and there was something about the wine I couldn't put my finger on. Now it has become obvious. At $29 a bottle, I couldn't resist buying a six-pack.