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 2013 Vintage

The 2013 vintage was set up by low spring rainfall and a relatively volatile flowering period, resulting in a low fruit set coming into the summer months. Vintage took place a month earlier than 2012 with most vineyards picked by the end of March – the earliest finish to vintage in living memory. Yields were generally below average but the overall quality was excellent, providing rich colour along with a near perfect balance of acidity and tannin.

Tasting Note

Intense, lifted aromatics are released as soon as the wine is opened; dark cherry, crème de cassis and hints of nutmeg all come to the fore with an underlying opulent fruit profile of black olive, cassis and plum. A dark, rich and silky palate with deep red cherry fruits, clove, lavender and licorice all interwoven with hints of sweet spice and cinnamon. The layers and diverse fruit characters continue to evolve in the glass with anise, hints of almond, earth, blackberry and pepper all becoming more apparent. A rich, opulent RunRig 2013 will certainly reward those with patience.

Technical Details

• Variety: 98.5% Shiraz, 1.5% Viognier
• Vineyards: 6 old-vine vineyards, assemblage
• Sub-regions: Lyndoch, Rowland Flat, Seppeltsfield, Greenock, Moppa & Ebenezer
• Harvest: 21 February – 20 March 2013
• Maturation: Basket pressed into new (45%) and second and third fill French barriques to complete natural malolactic fermentation; left on fine lees, with the Shiraz components blended after 30 months
• Alcohol: 15.5%

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, 2013 RunRig technical sheet (torbreck.com).

Vintage 2013 | 3000mL Double Magnum | Barossa Valley, South Australia.