Torbreck ‘Woodcutter’s’ Semillon is a delightful breath of fresh air with lime and fresh citrus notes, a waxy texture and touches of toasted brioche. Semillon seems to have fallen out of favour for some reason which I don’t fully understand. It produced an instantly appealing wine, but also one that benefits from a few extra years bottle age. It’s food friendly and excellent.
Torbreck Vintners, based in the Barossa Valley, was founded in 1994 by Dave Powell and quickly gained a reputation as one of Australia’s finest producers. Production is heavily focused on Rhone Valley varietals and there has always been a belief in terroir (A strange concept to Australians in 1994) with the winery producing several wines from selected vineyard areas rather than blending to make one wine. Dave spent some time in Scotland where he worked as a lumberjack and met his wife. Torbreck is the name of a forest which sits south of Inverness at the top of Loch Ness. I assume Dave cut some of it down in his early years! With wines named Runrig, The Laird, The Struie, The Pict and the Factor, the winery retains a very Scottish feel.
