The purple/black 2006 The Factor is 100% old-vine Shiraz from the esteemed Greenock sub-region of Barossa Valley. It spent 24 months in 30% new oak. The aromatic array of balsam wood, smoke, pepper, espresso, blueberry, and licorice is eye-opening. This leads to a rich, glossy, full-flavored Shiraz with layers of succulent fruit, ripe tannin, exceptional spiciness, and a lengthy, pure finish. It will evolve for another 8-10 years and will have a drinking window extending from 2016 to 2036. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s leading wine estates. The only cloud on the horizon concerns the winery’s ramped up production during a period of economic hard times.There are three white wines in the Torbreck portfolio.Importer: Jon Elkins, The Australian Wine Connection, Carlsbad, CA; www.torbreck.com

Dark, dense and rich, with a supple feel to the flavors of black cherry, smoke and licorice, which soften on the finish. Shiraz. Drink now through 2015. 1,000 cases made.

Old-vine Shiraz from the valley floor imparts great richness and a creamy texture to this wine's tannins, framed easily by hints of vanilla. Yet it's not a simple fruit-and-oak concoction-with time in glass it steadily unfurls to reveal herbal and spice complexities. Marries power and elegance; drink now-2015