Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Torbreck The Descendant Shiraz–Viognier 2022
Barossa Valley, South Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A seductive, Rhône-inspired blend of approximately 92% Shiraz and 8% Viognier, showcasing aromatic lift, silkiness, and elegant power. The Descendant leans into finesse and perfume while retaining serious Barossa depth, delivering a beautifully polished expression that feels expressive, vibrant, and effortlessly compelling.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted floral aromatics of violet, lavender, and rose petal lead, followed by ripe red and black berries, dark cherry, blueberry compote, and hints of baking spice and white pepper. The palate is silky and layered with juicy fruit, subtle savory notes, gentle cocoa, and a lingering floral-driven finish.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with a supple, flowing texture and refined tannin structure. The Viognier brings brightness and aromatic tension, keeping the wine lively, polished, and graceful despite its natural richness.

Food Pairings
Herb-crusted lamb rack. Duck breast with cherry or plum glaze. Grilled pork tenderloin. Moroccan-spiced lamb tagine. Semi-firm alpine cheeses or aged sheep’s milk cheeses.

Verdict
Elegant, aromatic, and beautifully balanced, this is a wine that highlights the sensual side of Barossa Shiraz while preserving depth and complexity. A compelling, refined expression that offers immediate pleasure and excellent aging potential.

Did You Know?
The Descendant follows the Côte-Rôtie tradition of co-fermenting Shiraz with a meaningful portion of Viognier, enhancing aromatic intensity, mouthfeel, and freshness while maintaining structural integrity.

🍷 Personal Pick
A stunning wine that delivers perfume, polish, and charm in every glass. An exceptional expression for those who love Rhône elegance layered onto Barossa generosity.
— 9 months ago

Gabby

9.1

So good! Kenlee brought for Christmas dinner in Manila. Can buy from duty free in the airport — 10 months ago

Ross Dickinson

9.5

2018 vintage . Shiraz is the flagship wine of Darioush and it will not disappoint . Full bodied lovely wine ready to drink now ! — 4 years ago

Aana Wherry

10

A weeknight wine that makes you feel fancy on a Wednesday. — 7 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.4

Superb complexity and depth. — 8 years ago

Nicholas Brooks

9.5

A baby, but he's a big boy at that. Robust and thick. Excellent length and depth. Bottle AB110 — 10 years ago

Drew Freeman

8.9

Need some McLaren Vale #Shiraz for steaks so I'm going with the not too big Mitolo #Jester -plum, blackberry, black currant- a real #TonguePainter — 11 years ago

David MacMillan

9.2

Maybe the best last call wine...... 2011 is probably the best example of MD since 05-06 — 12 years ago

with Stephen

Dirk Pitt.

10

Just a delicious Barossa Shiraz. A great life a head of it. — 13 years ago

Steve Goore

9.0

What’s Durif? Loved the combo with Australian Shiraz. Red and blackberry and cherry with a touch of oak and smoke. This was quite the fruit bomb with mild tannins and medium body. Please sir. . . I want some more. — 9 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.0

We had the battle of the Shiraz at our family gathering over Christmas. A Shiraz from South Australia and South Africa. Both 2016. This Shiraz, despite from the Adelaide Hills where I think it is a little cooler, was very rich, very bold and broad and a slight jammy note on the edge perhaps. People liked it, but all the votes when for the Shiraz of Cederberg from South Africa. Fun!!! — 10 months ago

with Tammy

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First, if you haven’t had this producers wines at 15-20 years of age, you’re missing some spectacular juice. I bought this at auction for $38-$40 a bottle and because I was unaware of its storage, I was prepared to short decant it. Well…until I pulled the cork, smelled it and saw the color. This nearly 20 year old bottling is still big but with nice integration & evolution. I would say it has another 5-8 years of good life in it.

The palate fruit is ruby, ripe and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum. Mid berry cola, dark chocolate to pudding, mocha powder, wet clay, light, black pepper, Asian spice, dry-ish tobacco, black licorice, some dry herbs-sage dominate, limestone, dry top soil, dry brush, used leather, sandlewood, fresh to slightly withering, dark, purple, red florals set/framed in violets and lavender. The acidity is near perfect. The well balanced, structured, knitted finish is excellent and lingers minutes. Steal for the price. Another excellent gourmet burger wine. Beef Patties from El Salchichero. — 3 years ago

Carl Cordova

9.1

Dark fruits, mostly cherry, plus cedar — 6 years ago

Rick Legare

9.1

Delicious — 8 years ago

Sandra Stevens

9.5

Loved this at the wine crush on have on 16 Sept 2017 — 9 years ago

Chris McGuire

9.3

2013 Vintage - seriously big Shiraz!! Big fruit, big alcohol, must find more!! — 11 years ago

with Andy

Paul Taylor

9.1

Thick. Luscious and got plenty of legs. Love this blend — 11 years ago

Heather Crump

9.6

Very full bodied. Not dry — 13 years ago

Kelly O'Connor

9.9

Enchanted Path is always a solid Mollydooker bottle — 14 years ago

Sage Shimoda

9.3

My first wine of 2026 is 2012 Amon-Ra by Graetzer Barossa Valley Unfiltered Shiraz. We had a Japanese sukiyaki dish paired with this wine. A flavor that evokes a sense of majestic energy. Smooth texture with a long finish. Nice.

2026年最初のワインは、グレツァー・バロッサ・バレーの2012年アモン・ラ・ノンフィルター・シラーズ。このワインには日本のすき焼きを合わせました。雄大なエネルギーを感じさせる味わい。滑らかな口当たりで余韻が長く続きます。素晴らしい。 — 9 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.3

Opened after Xmas lunch as we needed a follow up to the Black Shiraz. Did not disappoint. Mature and soft with all the lovely spice and dark fruit of the basket pressed. Lovely. — 10 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2016 | Opaque and dark. Multi layered bouquet to dream of: dark pepper, plum, leather, tobacco, Scottish pipe tobacco, everything in a rich, chic style. Chocolate in taste, rondeur as well as some unbending characteristics. A real treat. — 10 months ago

Edward Nelson

9.2

The other steak night bottle at Nolan’s cabin in the Dells. — 5 years ago

Michael Litchev

9.0

Pretty good taste, not too strong - great for my first scan! — 8 years ago

Jon Ruyle

9.1

Nice. Big fruit, but not as ripe as what I expected from a barossa Shiraz. Evolved with air. Finish only slightly herby. — 8 years ago

with Eugene

NM Wilson

9.5

2011 $100- cellar door
fab on own bought 2 — 10 years ago

Mike Dombrow

Buyer Sunfish Cellars

9.5

I know a girl
Who is like the sea
I watch her changing
Every day for me
...
Immaculate. Cigar box, blueberry, kiss of acid and a helping of, still tight, tannins. Stunning. — 11 years ago

Trish Barry

10

Nothing more to say about this wine except for AMAZING!!! — 12 years ago

Patrick Dolan

9.7

Aroma of rich berries. Smooth and slightly sweet with a sour note. Very good. — 13 years ago