2016 Descendant
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Tasting notes
Opaque ruby. Heady, oak-spiced aromas of dark berry preserves, espresso, incense and vanilla pick up a hint of olive with air. Stains the palate with concentrated cassis, bitter cherry and mocha flavors that turn sweeter and livelier through the mid-palate. Plays richness off of energy with a deft hand and finishes extremely long and spicy, with resonating blue fruit character and gently chewy tannins that come on late.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
A wine that really sits at the heart of the Torbreck DNA with plenty of blackberries and plums. Graphite and dark chocolate, too. There’s a beautifully exotic peppery and spicy edge here. The co-fermented viognier really is exceptional. The length and build on the palate is phenomenal and the weight of tannin is convincing, all thick and velvety. A blend of 94% shiraz and 6% viognier. Drink or hold.
A blend of 94% Shiraz and 6% Viognier aged in second fill barriques (all French oak), the 2016 Descendant features lovely floral aromas, accented by blueberries and a hint of apricot. On the palate, it's full-bodied, rich and creamy in texture, hugely mouthfilling yet somehow without excessive weight or heat, while the plush, velvety finish adds a hint of dark chocolate. It's a terrific success at a still-reasonable price for the quality.