Reviews & Awards

Review by Anthony Smith, Bendigo Advertiser, Sept 29, 2007. "It seems that everything winemaker Matt Hunter touches turns to gold - who can forget his remarkable Rose? This offering is the perennial Australian favourite, and some would say the perfect celebration wine, sparkling red. A blend of Shiraz and Cabernet from the 2006 vintage, there is more than enough fruit weight and character to satisfy here, and has a more-ish character that makes it hard to stop drinking."

Bronze Medal
Daylesford Wine Show

Trophy, Best Winery <50 tonnes
Daylesford Wine Show

Bronze Medal
Victorian Wines Show

Gold Medal
Brussels International Wine Show

Gold Medal
Quebec International Wine Show

Five Glasses
James Halliday 2007 Wine Companion

Trophy, Best Winery <50 tonnes
Daylesford Wine Show

Review by James Halliday - 2007 Wine Companion. Strong, deep colour; powerful blackberry and plum fruit throughout, together with a twist of chocolate, but not extractive; impressive length and balance, fine ripe tannins and controlled oak; 15% Heathcote. 14.5% alc. Rating 94/100

Review by Ric Einstein - Nov 2006. See www.torbwine.com. It is sealed under cork and is the previous vintage. The bouquet shows lifted alcohol, subtle spices, mixed roasted nuts. and plum. The palate is intensely savoury on the uptake with blackberry, char, plum, dried herbs, spices and a slight sappiness to the drying tannins which finish with respectable length to chocolate. It is well backed by dusty tannins and strong, deeply-seated fruit. The wine has a diverse complexity and is an excellent result for a bloody difficult drought vintage. Rated as Highly Recommended with *** for value. Another two or three years and the cellar will do it the world of good.

Review by Paul Ippolito - August 2006 - Lifestyle Channel see www.webwombat.com.au/lifestyle. "Purple crimson - youthful - vibrant, polished and concentrated fruit - spicy blackberry and ripe plums - hints of black sweet liquorice - delicious - serious and impressive - a stylish wine with a strong backbone - well balanced with seamless oak and fine silky superfine tannins - 7 plus years - 93/100."

Silver Medal (Best in Class)
London International Wine & Spirits Competition

Silver Medal
Quebec International Wine Show

Five Glasses
James Halliday Wine Companion 2008

People's Choice Award
Federation Square Wine Showcase

Review by James Halliday, Wine Companion 2008. Deep, dense colour; a similarly rich and dense plum, blackberry, prune, licorice and chocolate, yet doesn't cloy or heat up on the finish; excellent within the parameters of style. Screwcap. 15.5% Alc/Vol. Rating 94. To 2030.

Trophy, Best Winery <50 tonnes
Daylesford Wine Show 2008

Combine soft rounded Merlot with peppery Shiraz and you have a lovely smooth wine to enjoy with most dishes. This blend is spicy and full of flavour without being unapproachable. Enjoy its savoury and minty character. 13.5% Alc/Vol

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir & Merlot grapes contribute to the sparkling inviting translucent damask pink colour of this wine. This Rosé is made in the dry style to complement food dishes - especially pasta and chicken or as an end of meal palate cleanser. Aroma of spice and cherry followed by a hint of redcurrant. Creamy mouthfilling palate texture shows hints of raspberry and a nice clean acidity and good palate length with an aftertaste of mulberry & almonds. Best served chilled or with ice or soda. 14.5% Alc/Vol. Ready to drink now.

The 2000 Reserve was rated in the Adelaide Advertiser as one of the Top 100 wines in Australia in 2002 - 337 Cabernets tasted, 15 recommended.

Gold Medal
Quebec International Wine Show

This RESERVE blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with a little Merlot & Cabernet Franc has an inviting blueberry aroma with overtones of chocolate & spices. The palate is deep and long with a hint of cassis, blackberry, plums & cigar box. The palate structure is seamless with firm tannins from 26 months in fine-grained French Oak balancing the rich fruit.

People's Choice Award
Federation Square Wine Showcase

A luscious blend displaying the positive ripe flavour profile of both varieties. Aroma of peach, apricot and tropical fruit. Creamy palate texture with hints of roast almonds over a layer of peach and fig, followed by back palate flavours of honeycomb and apricot. Excellent palate weight and depth of flavours. 14% Alc/Vol. Cellar 1-2 yrs. Enjoy with seafood.

Silver Medal (Top)
Daylesford Wine Show

94/100
Rating by Nicks

Trophy, Best Winery <50 tonnes
Daylesford Wine Show

Review by Ric Einstein - Nov 2006. See www.torbwine.com. "It is sealed with a screwcap and also contains a component of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It retails for around $25. The bouquet shows flinty characters, vanilla notes, with sweet fruit and contrasting spice. Fresh acid combines with dusty tannins and very-ripe fruit to form a muscular-weight wine with a supple consistency and agreeable complexity. The palate is fairly black with blackberry, charred coffee oak, mint, plum, some minor flinty character and cassis which delivers an intense flavour hit. It comes across as a `big red` rather a varietal Cabernet and needs time for the acid to soften. Rated as Recommended with *** for value. 96.5/100 Quebec International Wine Show 2007