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 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. RunRig has often drawn comparison with the beautifully fragrant and tautly structured wines of Côte-Rôtie in the Northern Rhône.

The 2018 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, particularly amongst the red varieties of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. 2018 wines will be remembered for their impressive colour, structure and longevity.

Tasting Note

Complex and lifted aromatics of dense black fruits such as blackberries, satsuma plum and black cherry, complemented with dark chocolate, cacao bean 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.

Critic Scores

99 Points Decanter • 96 Points Nick Stock, James Suckling

Technical Details

• Variety: 98% Shiraz, 2% Viognier
• Vineyards: 6 old-vine vineyards, assemblage
• Sub-regions: Lyndoch, Rowland Flat, Moppa, Ebenezer, Light Pass, Greenock
• Harvest: 20 February – 13 April 2018
• Maturation: 30 months in new (50%), second and third fill French oak barriques, completing natural malolactic fermentation in barrel and resting on fine lees
• Alcohol: 15%
• Cellaring: 30+ years

Large-format bottles in Torbreck’s cellar release have never left the Torbreck cellar and are wax sealed by the winery once ordered, to ensure the cork is in perfect condition.

Vintage report, tasting note and technical details: Torbreck Vintners, 2018 RunRig technical sheet (torbreck.com). Critic scores as published by Torbreck (RunRig Collection 2016–2021 release); scores refer to the wine.

Vintage 2018 | 1500mL Magnum | Barossa Valley, South Australia.