1998 Descendant
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Tasting notes
The 1998 The Descendant Shiraz, which is aged in used rather than new French oak, has a slightly higher percentage of Viognier co-fermented in it. It displays exotic lychee, peach, and honeysuckle characteristics along with plenty of blackberry and black cherry fruit, and glycerin. Well-made, exuberant, and fresh, this fully mature 1998 should drink well for another 3-4 years. Torbreck’s flagship wine, the Run Rig, is made from 40- to 120-year-old Shiraz vines with some co-fermented Viognier (usually around 3%), tips the scales between 14-15% alcohol, and is aged 30 months in French oak. In contrast to the way they taste upon release, neither the 1998 or 1997 Run Rig revealed any oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1998 The Descendant Shiraz, which is aged in used rather than new French oak, has a slightly higher percentage of Viognier co-fermented in it. It displays exotic lychee, peach, and honeysuckle characteristics along with plenty of blackberry and black cherry fruit, and glycerin. Well-made, exuberant, and fresh, this fully mature 1998 should drink well for another 3-4 years. Jun 2009, www.robertparker.com
Medium ruby. Jammy dark berries, toasty oak and a hint of grapefruit on the nose; ripe-verging-on-raisiny. Superripe and superconcentrated, with almost painful intensity of flavor and great liqueur-like sweetness. Very thick but not over the top. Finishes very long and youthful, with lush tannins and palate-staining fruit.