Member15 Shiraz Wine

Woodcutter's Shiraz

You’d imagine a high country Scottish woodcutter might like a satisfying red at the days end – something rich, warming, full bodied and affordable.

This wine reflects the up and coming Shiraz vineyards of the Barossa, rather than the battle hardened old vines that make up the core of our other cuvées.

But like all Torbreck wines, Woodcutter’s Shiraz receives the very best viticultural and winemaking treatment. Fruit is sourced from hand-harvested and hand-tended, low-yielding vines, then open fermented and gently basket pressed before ageing on fine lees for 12 months in large format seasoned barrels and foudres.

Although this wine is constantly praised for its succulence and richness, there is also a complexity and texture which is rarely found at this price.

Torbreck is the name of a forest near Inverness, Scotland. You’ll find more than a passing nod to the Celts in our wine naming conventions including this tribute to the foresters of this rugged high country.

Current Vintage 2023

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. Cooler seasons can pose several challenges, but through our dedicated commitment to viticulture practices, such as hand pruning and harvesting with careful soil management, the vintage resulted in low-yielding and resilient fruit. The upside, however, to a cool season is far greater, and producers and wine enthusiasts alike hold these seasons in high regard. The vintage has resulted in very strong wines with bright colours and freshness from higher natural acidities, auguring them towards greater longevity and detail across the palate.

Current Vintage 2022

The 2022 vintage was characterised by above average winter rains making up for a dry autumn, leading to full canopies and healthy vines for the harvest. A severe hail storm across some parts of the Valley in late October resulted in lower average yields. The summer was remarkably mild with very few days above 30 degrees. Slow ripening in the cooler conditions made for a gentle and drawn out vintage season, resulting in wines with higher natural acidity, rich colours and fine tannins. The wines from 2022 will reward those patient enough to cellar them away

Current Vintage 2021

The 2021 summer growing season was mild, with even and cool daily temperatures throughout. Enhanced by good rains provided during the winter and spring of 2020, our vineyards grew wonderful canopies and developed well-formed grape bunches. As a result of this long flavour development cycle in the vineyard, 2021’s signature is wines of high aromatic lift with densely coloured tints and exceptional balance

Current Vintage 2020

Strong winds at flowering at the beginning of the growing season reduced berry and bunch count in many vineyards. The difficult seasonal conditions continued up to harvest- a dry winter and spring were followed by very hot and dry December and January. 2020 was a difficult season to manage for both grower and winemaker with yields much lower than anticipated. Older vineyards with deeper roots remained steadfast under these conditions and produced small volumes of deeply concentrated wines from the lower yields. Semillon and Viognier were the starring whites, with delicate flavours and aromas. While the yields have been small, the overall quality has created deeply coloured and textured wines that resonate their place of origin.

Current Vintage 2019

The growing season was defined by a continuously warm to hot summer with no effective rainfall, wind and hail at flowering, and followed with three major frosts - resulting in an earlier and much smaller harvest than average. These tough conditions produced smaller clusters of intensely dark berries with thick fleshy skins contrasted against brown mature stalks. Whilst yields were down, once these vineyards were fermenting in our cellar the concentration of colour, tannin and aroma of the 2019 vintage was revealed.

Current Vintage 2018

An above average winter rainfall led into a below average spring and summer rainfall, producing small bunches and small berries, leading to a reduced yield. Quality was certainly high, particular amongst our red varieties of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. 2018 wines will be remembered for their impressive colour, structure and longevity.

Current Vintage 2017

After a cold and rainy winter in 2016, the Barossa had one of its wettest springs on record, replenishing sub-soil moisture and setting the vineyards up for a healthy summer. Mild conditions during veraison and light rains in January and February, 2017, were followed by an extended warm, dry Indian summer, creating perfect ripening conditions through to April, 2017. An outstanding vintage producing bright, aromatic whites and intense, well-structured reds.

Current Vintage 2016

Despite a dry winter, rains in January and March 2016, freshened the older vines and provided long, slow ripening periods in between, which led to a stand-out vintage with high-quality fruit.

Current Vintage 2015

Current Vintage 2014

Current Vintage 2013

Current Vintage 2012

Current Vintage 2011

Current Vintage 2010

Current Vintage 2009

Current Vintage 2008

Current Vintage 2007

Current Vintage 2006

Current Vintage 2005

Current Vintage 2004

Current Vintage 2002

Current Vintage 2001

$29.00

Size

–+

Woodcutter's Shiraz Vintages

2023 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of the Woodcutter's Shiraz 2023 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's notes

2022 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of the Woodcutter's Shiraz 2022 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's notes

2021 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of the Woodcutter's Shiraz 2021 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's notes

2020 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of the Woodcutter's Shiraz 2020 vintage.