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 2023 Vintage

The 2023 growing season brought above-average rainfall in winter and spring and a cooler summer. The majority of the harvest took place in the colder months, and most vineyards were not harvested until April, approximately one month later than usual. The vintage resulted in low-yielding and resilient fruit, and very strong wines with bright colours and freshness from higher natural acidities, auguring them towards greater longevity and detail across the palate.

Tasting Note

Intense core with a deep purple rim. A more subtle RunRig than from the warmer years, with a tighter aromatic frame. The wine immediately offers distinguishable finesse and power yet with precision and focus. There is lifted satsuma plum, black currant, dried rose petals and black cherry along with graphite, dark cocoa, Turkish delight, star anise and subtle hints of black olive, which combine with gorgeous yet restrained notes of vanilla pod, sandalwood and black tea. The palate is dense, firm and powerful yet holds incredibly balanced fruit intermingled with voluminous structure. A wine for the cellar, best after 2025–2055. Serve at 16°C with rich flavoured cuisines.

Technical Details

• Variety: 99% Shiraz, 1% Viognier
• Vineyards: 6 old-vine vineyards, assemblage
• Sub-regions: Lyndoch, Rowland Flat, Moppa, Ebenezer, Light Pass, Greenock
• Harvest: 14 April – 5 May 2023
• 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: 15.5%
• Cellaring: Best after 2025–2055 (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, 2023 RunRig technical sheet (torbreck.com).

Vintage 2023 | 6000mL Imperial | Barossa Valley, South Australia.