Torbreck The Factor Shiraz 2019 (RP96)

Country:             Australia
Region:               Barossa Valley Rating:                 RP96, JH96, WS93
Grape Variety:  100% Shiraz
Type of Wine:   Red Wine
Bottle Size:        750ml

By Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 96
This is quintessential Barossa. The red dirt in the ground rises up in the glass and transports me right back there: middle summer, hot, spicy air blowing across the tops of old vines. It's evocative. This 2019 The Factor is Port-y, concentrated and savory as all hell, with charred barrels, lamb fat, black pepper, salted licorice, pomegranate molasses and aniseed. This is about as big as I can cope with and still enjoy it; it takes density and intensity to a whole new level—no surprise for the vintage, the region and the producer. A perfect storm of thunderous strength. Like staring into the abyss . . . a little bit scary, but transfixing nonetheless.

James Halliday 96
100% shiraz sourced from the parishes of Gomersal, Krondorf, Marananga and Ebenezer, aged for 12 months in French oak. Glossy red purple in the glass with characters of ripe satsuma plum and macerated summer berry fruits, Asian five-pice, cedar, licorice and Old Jamaica chocolate. Fruit weight, purity and intensity perfectly on point here, tannins too, fine and long. There just seems to be so much packed into the wine yet everything is in proportion and true. Power with grace.

Wine Spectator 93
Generous and plush, with milk chocolate accents to the wild blackberry and huckleberry core, with details of caramel, palo santo, tobacco, sage and red licorice. Gains complexity and intensity on the long, dense and velvety finish. Shiraz. Drink now.