CRITIC REVIEWS
Jay S Miller
The Shiraz for the 2006 The Descendant is sourced from a single vineyard and co-fermented with 8% Viognier. It was aged for 18 months in seasoned French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it emits an expressive, sexy perfume of violets, wood smoke, black pepper, espresso, blueberry, and chocolate. Full-bodied, on the palate, this voluptuous effort has great concentration with a noticeable uplift from the Viognier, tons of spicy black fruits, enough ripe tannin to evolve for a decade, and 60-second finish. It should provide pleasure from 2016 through 2036.
Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 92% Shiraz and 8% Viognier, the 2006 Torbreck Descendant comes from Run Rig cuttings and is fermented in older RunRig barrels. Aromatically, the wine is almost NOT Aussie with deep, pepper laced dark fruits, tobacco, eucalyptus, charred wood and meaty notes. The herb/tobacco character sets the wine apart from your typical blockbuster and the wine shows restraint and complexity. It really shines in the mouth with perfect structure, medium to full body, a seamless, pure texture and a long, refined finish. A gorgeously built wine, this should deliver tons of pleasure over the next 10 to 15 years.