2019 Torbreck The Forebear Shiraz

The Forebear is a premium single-vineyard Shiraz, crafted from one of the world's oldest Shiraz vineyards, paying tribute to the pioneering families of the Barossa Valley. Established in 1849 by Samuel Springbett, the Hillside vineyard near Lyndoch has a rich legacy of grape growing and winemaking. In 2002, Torbreck acquired the estate, which included heritage-listed vineyards and cellars, and focused on rejuvenating the ancient vines and implementing sustainable farming practices. These vines, originating from pre-Phylloxera European cuttings, are planted in sand over deep loam and red clay soils, producing fruit with a unique historical significance. The Forebear is made from the original 12 rows of these ancient Shiraz vines.
Torbreck’s chief winemaker, Ian Hongell, and viticulturist, Nigel Blieschke, have championed this project since 2014, believing the vineyard holds a significant place in Torbreck’s portfolio of single-site wines. The winemaking process honors the land's past custodians, involving hand-harvesting, gentle processing, 24 months of aging in French barriques, followed by an additional three years of bottle maturation before release, ensuring The Forebear stands as a testament to the vineyard’s heritage and the Barossa’s winemaking tradition.

Other Reviews....
From 12 rows (1 acre) of 1850s-planted Lyndoch shiraz that, since 2014, has been rejuvenated by Torbreck viticulturist Nigel Blieschke and, in 2019, guided to bottle by winemaker Ian Hogell. Deep magenta/crimson with aromas of macerated red plum, blueberry and red cherry fruits, it's a wine deeply etched with spice, clove, sandalwood, nutmeg and mace, with hints of mocha, cortado, salted licorice, cedar and earth. It's the higher tones that grab you, though, the jasmine, violets and citrus blossom. Finer, more fragrant and flighty than The Laird, with an increase in floral top notes instead of sheer latent power and ferruginous tannin heft. Subregionality writ large, and that is a beautiful thing. A stellar inaugural release. Drink 2023 - 2050.
97 Points
Dave Brookes - Halliday's Australian Wine Companion

A brand new cuvee. The inaugural release comprises fruit from a proprietary property in Lyndoch, documented as the second winery built in the Barossa Valley. Vineyard planted in 1850s on its own rootstock. I really like this. An earlier picked site, spending two years in oak and three years in the bottle pre-release. Despite the typical Barossan weight, there is ample freshness. Baking spice, licorice, saturated dark fruit, iodine and forest accents. The tannin structure is chewy and nourishing. Long finish. Plenty to get the teeth into. This is an excellent wine. Drinkable now, but best from 2030.
97 Points
Ned Goodwin MW - JamesSuckling.com

Earth, mocha and black truffle to nose and attack give way to a languorous swathe of sweet plum, strawberry, kirsch and Black Forest gateau on the mid-palate, then boomerang back on a long, arcing finish as a soft web of silty, insinuating tannins seductively captures and shapes the fruit. Liquorice and smoky espresso lend spicy, smoky resonance. A singular, voluptuous expression of Hillside vineyard’s original 12 mid-19th century rows. Drink 2024 - 2040.
97 Points
Sarah Ahmed - Decanter