2004 The Factor

Winemaker David Powell. 100% Shiraz. North-western Barossa Valley. All grape parcels are vinified separately, in small open-top fermenters with pump-overs twice daily. The wine is then pressed in a basket press and transferred to French oak barriques and hogsheads for malolactic fermentation. It is aged for a further two years in older oak . Look at the price!! Very dark. Sweet and sumptuous and and mulberries with masses of acidity. It certainly has the characteristics of old-vine wine without uncomfortable exaggerations. Very clean and certainly tarry. A sort of love-or-loathe wine. But it does finish gracefully. Very unlike the rest of the M&S range. (JR)

Slightly exotic and a bruiser at the moment, the 2004 Torbreck Shiraz The Factor has amazingly rich dark fruit, meat, earth, flowers, chocolate and bacon notes literally jumping from the glass and there's not a trace of heat. The palate is full bodied with nice structure but so much fruit overlaying everything that it's easy to miss. Beautifully balanced, textured and complex, it's hard not to love this wine and the finish is long and rich.

Opaque ruby. Powerful dark berry liqueur aromas are complemented by a kaleidoscopic array of fresh and dried flowers, incense, Asian spices and vanilla. Suave and silky in texture, with explosive blackberry and mulberry flavors complemented by exotic spice and floral qualities. Finishes with superbly integrated tannins and outstanding persistence, leaving sexy spice and mocha notes in its wake.