The 2005 The Steading is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mataro, and 20% Shiraz aged for 22 months in used French oak. David Powell’s interpretation of top-of-the-line Chateauneuf du Pape is spot-on. Purple-colored, it offers a fabulous nose of damp earth, garrigue, clove, kirsch, and black raspberry. Full-bodied, rich, and layered, the wine is powerful, complex and yet surprisingly light on its feet. It can be enjoyed now but will easily last for a decade. Torbreck, under the leadership of owner/winemaker David Powell, remains a Barossa Valley benchmark as well as one of the world’s greatest wine estates. The top cuvees are limited production and expensive but there are also some outstanding values in the portfolio. With regard to the current vintages for the Barossa red wines, David Powell states “? 2004 is more savory while 2005 has more purity and definition. 2004 is more classic, 2005 will take longer to come around.” Importer: Jon Elkins, The Australian Wine Connection, Carlsbad, CA; www.torbreck.com

Different in style from the equally good 2004, the 2005 Steading is a bigger, richer, warmer wine, with brandied cherry fruit flavors and a rather fat, almost oily mouthfeel. More fruit and feel, less earth and spice. Drink it up over the next few years.——J.C.(11/1/2007)—— 92