Co-fermented with a splash of Viognier, the 2007 RunRig gives a very deep garnet-purple color and a perfumed nose of warm cassis, crushed blackberries and blueberries over anise, cassia, cloves, tea leaves, rose hips plus earthy hints of black truffles and tilled loam. The full-bodied palate offers rich, ripe but not over-ripe fruit with a taut structure of firm grainy tannins and crisp acid, finishing very long with a gamey/savory character coming through with some cedar and baking spices. Not a style to be broached too early, consider drinking this from 2015 to 2025+. - LPB

From a difficult, drought year, the 2007 Torbreck Run Rig is a spectacular effort. A blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier that spent 30 months in both new and old French oak, it delivers a deep, brooding bouquet of smoked plums, roasted meat, black licorice, truffle, and underbrush that gives way to a full-bodied, voluptuous, yet elegantly styled Shiraz that has loads of concentration, a full, mouth filling texture, and brilliant length. This is a big wine, yet it never comes across as heavy, has clean, integrated acidity, and masses of ripe tannin on the finish. It’s approachable now with a decant, but give bottles 2-4 years in the cellar, and then plan on drinking over the following 12-15 years.

Winemaker Dave Powell is no longer with Torbreck, but the 2007 RunRig is one of his finest efforts. The complexity is almost overwhelming, as the aromas range from peppery spice and roasted meat to blueberry and tappanade. It's mouth filling and expansive, yet retains fine acids and just the right amount of slightly dusty tannins on the long finish. Approachable now, but capable of lasting at least though 2020. JOE CZERWINSKI

Dark, dense and brooding, offering a bright light of spicy berry flavors pushing through the layers of dark plum, black olive, dried peach and licorice. Finishes with precision and intensity. Needs time to come together with cellaring. Shiraz and Viognier. Best from 2015 through 2020. 1,500 cases made. — HS