99/100 Points

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. ROBERT PARKER

98/100 Points

A really complex wine already, this has aromas of blackberry, tar and dried spice, as well as blueberry and gentle, herbal edges. The essence-like blackberries and dark plums are delivered in a rich, full-flavored style. Great old-vine shiraz from a stunning vintage. Try from 2026. JAMES SUCKLING

NOTE: If 6 bottles remain, they will be provided in a presentation case, should you order 6 bottles of the same vintage

Overview

The Torbreck Runrig Shiraz 2018 is a wine to be remembered for years to come. The above average winter rainfall followed by a below average spring and summer rainfall led to small bunches and small berries, resulting in a reduced yield but high quality grapes, especially amongst the red varieties of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. The wine boasts an impressive colour, structure and longevity. On the nose, the aromatics are complex and lifted with dense black fruits such as blackberries, satsuma plum and black cherry, complemented by 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. The wine is made up of 98% Shiraz and 2% Viognier and has been matured for 30 months on new (50%), second fill and third fill French oak barriques, completing a natural malolactic fermentation in barrel and resting on fine lees throughout maturation to enhance texture. The wine has an opaque, almost black-red colour and a powerful and impressive lifted black fruit aroma with underlying dark chocolate complex undertones and spice. On the palate, the wine is full bodied, intense, firm and long. The tannins are impressive as is the depth and balance that will live on for decades. This impressive RunRig vintage is one to keep in the wine cellar for 30 years or more.