Torbreck Descendant 2020 (750ML)

100 DE / 96+ WA

Gobsmacking. A raptor on nose and palate, locking on without hesitation. An insane iodine and black fruit perfume conjures up images of a dementedly talented parfumier going to work with the rarest musks and scents. The sense of heady Balkan tobacco alone is hypnotic. I have waited a long time for this wine to move from a ‘high-gold’ to perfection, and it happened in one fell swoop in 2020. Shiraz co-fermented with 9% Viognier. Drinking Window: 2024 – 2039. —MJ, Decanter

The Descendant is a Shiraz Viognier blend, co-fermented. This year, the 2020 Descendant comprises 91% Shiraz and 9% Viognier; the vineyard is in Marananga and was planted in 1994, from cuttings form the RunRig vineyard. It matured for 20 months in second fill French oak barriques, previously used for the RunRig. In every way (price, vineyard source, cepage, maturation), this wine is a baby RunRig, although there remain some stylistic differences in the mouth. For one thing, this 2020 Descendant has been matured (as mentioned) in older oak, so the imprint of oak flavors is more subtle. While there is no denying that the texture has an extreme slick and polish (it is almost thick in the mouth, truly plush) from the high percentage of Viognier, the wine is pure and glossy and exuberantly fruit driven. The tannins, which exist very much within the wine, are savory and exotically spiced: star anise, clove, hints of cardamom, licorice, red dirt and iodine. This is very good, luxurious, enveloping, sybaritic, with lots going on.—Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate