Torrin Vineyards

For such a small property, Torrin vineyard enjoys the benefit of hillsides of nearly every possible exposure. This allows us to match up varietals to their ideal growing environment. Therefore, we have chosen to put all of our Syrah on our coolest aspects. The 2009 Akasha is a blend of our Syrah clone 174 from an east facing slope and Syrah clone 877 from a north facing slope. A small amount of Syrah from the incredible James Berry Vineyard adds yet another layer of intrigue. And for the first time, we have opted to blend in 5% Grenache from our estate simply to lift the initial aromatic presence of the wine. The result is simply fantastic. The wine highlights the best of Syrah with beautiful black fruits, intoxicating spice, unbelievable texture and depth on the palate and a finish that is remarkably energetic for such a potentially imposing wine. The wine was fermented with approximately 25% stem inclusion and aged on its lees in French 228L barriques for 18 months. With nearly one year of bottle age on release the wine is impressive, but will continue to evolve beautifully over the course of the next decade.

Cases Produced: 158
$62.00

Tanzer: 94 points

Rhone Report: 96+ points 

2009 Torrin “The Maven”
With 60% of the fruit from the remarkable James Berry Vineyard and 40% from our own estate vineyard this wine capitalizes on the magic of the Templeton Gap. At 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah the 2009 Maven manages to gracefully walk the line between mass and finesse. A fantastic 2009 growing season maximized the fruit maturity and retained excellent acidity. As a result, we have a wine with an incredible aromatic lift that has substantial weight and tactile presence yet finishes fresh and vibrant. The Grenache does most of the heavy lifting here creating lush core of beautiful fruit and spice. The Syrah contributes to the complexity of the wine by adding a subtle underlying layer of dried herbs and savory notes. After 18 months on its lees in 500L puncheons the wine was bottled in May of 2011 unfined and unfiltered. It will be tempting to enjoy this one soon, but keep in mind it will certainly age beautifully in bottle over the next decade.

Cases Produced: 87
$62.00

Tanzer: 93 points

Rhone Report: 95+ points

 

2009 Torrin “The Banshee”
Often times in the making and presentation of wine we address the sense of place. A blend of Rhone Varietals, The Banshee is an expression of the vast array of factors that make up Torrin Vineyard on any given vintage. For 2009 with a core of beautifully ripe Syrah from a cool east face making up 60% of the blend, it is the remaining 40% that gives it the character and soul we expect from The Banshee. In warm years like 2009 the later ripening varietals like Mourvedre and Grenache shine. Mourvedre from a warmer west facing hillside composes 22% of the blend and gives it depth with underlying notes of earth, dried herbs and black fruits. Finally with 18% Grenache grown on a warm southern slope the wine comes together expressing bright red fruits up front, a fantastic mid palate presence and balanced acidity throughout the finish. Aged on its lees for 18 months in a combination of 228L barriques and 500L puncheons the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered in May 2011. While certainly age worthy, this wine is probably the showiest of the vintage in its youth.

Cases Produced: 150
$62.00

Tanzer: 93 points

Rhone Report: 95 points