The Auswine Forum

Hi All,

Wonder if anyone has thoughts on the Torbreck Descendant 2000? Also, I remember reading something about Brokenwood's Wade Block Shiraz, which is new to me. I've now seen it around here, and it's labeled "Wade Block 2". Is there a Block 1? if so, is there a noticeable difference between the wines? Lastly, any opinions on Wirra Wirra RSW 2001 Shiraz?

Thanks and regards,
Alan

Can only comment on the Wirra Wirra RSW. Tasted blind the other week in a tasting of a magazine's top Aussie reds, this was my second fave wine. Notes on the forum at this link.

Also these notes from a tasting a month earlier . .
Quite closed on the nose and seemingly more drier and lifted in the palate than the WW McLaren Vale Shiraz, this is an inky coloured purple wine with intense fruit concentration of plums and blackberries spiced up by a dollop of freshly ground black pepper on a grainy biscuity texture, refined oak tannins and a touch of eucalyptus that emerges on the long dry finish together with a savoury herb, such as rosemary. A wine of great potential and one to buy for the cellar. Matured in a combination of French and American oak.

Cheers,
Sue

Alan Rath wrote:Hi All,

Wonder if anyone has thoughts on the Torbreck Descendant 2000? Also, I remember reading something about Brokenwood's Wade Block Shiraz, which is new to me. I've now seen it around here, and it's labeled "Wade Block 2". Is there a Block 1? if so, is there a noticeable difference between the wines? Lastly, any opinions on Wirra Wirra RSW 2001 Shiraz?

Thanks and regards,
Alan

Descendent I'm not familiar with.

Wades Block 2 is the only Wade's Block wine, its available (here ) and elsewhere, intense richly flavoured wine.

The 2001 RSW released in October is a beauty, lovely classy wine.

Tried the Wade Block 2 - I thought it was a wonderful, rich and tasty wine. Savory rather than fruity. Very nice. However the wife didn't think much of it so I am not allowed to buy any more

Tobreck Descendant 00 - save ur $$$ on something else. Tasted twice, once upon released, another with DavePowell. No doubt a good wine but the $$$ price tag doesnt justified.

The Wade Blk 2 is a ripper if u like the big bold, rich & ripe style. Taken fr 6yrs O young Vines(suspected cutting fr the Rayner Vineyard) grown in Blewit Spring, McLaren Vales. This tasted like a young Brokenwood Rayner'98 n better than the Rayner'01.

As for the RSW'01 I am highly optimistic if their Wirra2 McLaren Vales Shiraz'01 is of any indication based on the quality of fruits fr this hot vintage.

Cheers,

Thanks all,

Sue, I'm not seeing the link you seem to have included, and if it's on the old forum I can't seem to find anything there.

Since my original post, I had the chance to taste the 2001 RSW, side-by-side with 2001 Dead Arm. Both are outstanding: Dead Arm seems to have a bit more complexity/depth, while RSW is more explosive and ripe and probably the earlier drinker.

As for the Descendant, I tasted 99 and 01 when Dave Powell was up here in California, loved them both (particularly the 01), but haven't had the 2000. A local shop has remaindered a case of this at US$50, which is 30% off the loweset price I've ever seen (and probably still high in CD terms, but we're used to that up here).

Cheers,
Alan