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 2017 Vintage

After a cold and rainy winter in 2016, the Barossa had one of its wettest springs on record, replenishing sub-soil moisture and setting the vineyards up for a healthy summer. Mild conditions during veraison and light rains in January and February 2017 were followed by an extended warm, dry Indian summer, creating perfect ripening conditions through to April 2017. An outstanding vintage producing bright, aromatic whites and intense, well-structured reds.

Tasting Note

Intense, lifted aromatics of dense blueberries, blackberries and dark chocolate all come to the fore with an opulent profile of mulberry, plum and five-spice. A plush and velvety textured palate of red cherry and stone fruits and clove, all interwoven with hints of dark chocolate. The complex layers and fruit characters continue to evolve in the glass with hints of ironstone, anise, blackberry and pepper all becoming more persistent in the finish. This densely textured RunRig will certainly reward those with patience.

Critic Scores

98 Points The Wine Advocate • 96 Points Huon Hooke

Technical Details

• Variety: 98% Shiraz, 2% Viognier
• Vineyards: 6 old-vine vineyards, assemblage
• Sub-regions: Lyndoch, Rowland Flat, Moppa, Ebenezer, Light Pass, Greenock
• Harvest: 29 March – 25 April 2017
• 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: 15 to 20 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, 2017 RunRig technical sheet (torbreck.com). Critic scores as published by Torbreck (RunRig Collection 2016–2021 release); scores refer to the wine.

Vintage 2017 | 1500mL Magnum | Barossa Valley, South Australia.