The Vintage Journal | Andrew Caillard & Ken Gargett | August 2025
100
Andrew Caillard & Ken Gargett THE VINTAGE JOURNAL
RunRig 2022
Deep crimson. Intense dark plum, blackberry, liquorice, mocha/ espresso aromas with lifted star anise notes. Saturated dark plum, blackberry, apricot fruits, superb ultra-fine tannins and underlying roasted coffee/espresso mocha notes. Finishes gravelly and long with persistent dark berry fruits/ cedar nuances. Exceptional balance and complexity. Should develop brilliantly well. Drink 2028–2046
96
Andrew Caillard & Ken Gargett THE VINTAGE JOURNAL
The Factor 2022
Deep crimson. Very attractive dark chocolate dark berry wax polish, touch marzipan notes. Richly concentrated and flavourful with black cherry, dark plum stone fruit, cedar marzipan flavours, very good mid-palate richness and plentiful loose-knit grainy tannins. Finishes clearly firm with aniseed notes. Impressively dense and vigorous with lovely flow and length. Stylish and individually Torbreck in style. Let the elements fold further, though. Drink 2027–2038+
97
Andrew Caillard & Ken Gargett THE VINTAGE JOURNAL
Hillside Vineyard Grenache 2023
Deep crimson. Attractive dark plum, praline, touch peppercorn aromas. Generous and Medium-deep crimson. Beautiful red plum, strawberry, chinotto, liquorice aromas with espresso notes. Gorgeously seductive and buoyant with pure strawberry, red plum fruits, fine slinky textures, lovely mid palate volume and long pure acidity. Cola/ bittersweet notes at the
finish. Very expressive with superb definition, extract and abundance. Drink now–2034
94
Andrew Caillard & Ken Gargett THE VINTAGE JOURNAL
The Struie 2023
Deep crimson. Attractive dark plum, praline, touch peppercorn aromas. Generous and mouthfilling wine with ample dark plum, blackberry pastille, pure aniseed flavours with fine chalky firm tannins and underlying mocha notes. Finishes bittersweet/ firm with cedarwood/liquorice notes. Needs another year to unpack. Drink 2026–2036
93
Andrew Caillard & Ken Gargett THE VINTAGE JOURNAL
The Steading 2023
Medium-deep crimson. Intense polished walnut, dark cherry, brambly aromas. Richly flavoured palate with generous dark berry, dark chocolate brambly flavours and fresh al dente/ grippy tannins. Very good volume, energy and torque. Bittersweet finish. Mataro shines through! Drink now–2034
93
Andrew Caillard & Ken Gargett THE VINTAGE JOURNAL
The Steading Blanc 2024
An intriguing blend of Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier from the Barossa, this is a gleaming pale lemon hue with most attractive aromatics. We weave through notes of stone fruits, peaches, ginger, apricots and spices with a gentle minerally backing. There is a creamy texture and a slight hazelnut touch on the finish. The wine has good balance and a
very long finish. Much to like here and it should only become even more interesting in the years to come. Drink now–2033.
