Compare Torbreck Vintners The Steading Prices

David Powell consistently excels with The Steading, an 8,000 case blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Shiraz. Aged 22 months in 300 liter hogsheads (foudres), it represents Australia?s version of Chateauneuf du Pape. The 2002 The Steading?s big, spicy, earthy nose reveals notions of cherry liqueur, licorice, pepper, dried Provencal herbs, raspberries, and leather. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, chewy, and heady, it is best drunk during its first 7-8 years of life, although it will last a lot longer.

Reminiscent of a Rhone Valley Chateauneuf du Pape, the 2003 The Steading is an intriguing, complex blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 20% Shiraz. Aromas of garrigue, Provencal herbs, pepper, black cherries, raspberries, and currants are followed by a medium to full-bodied red possessing great fruit, surprising elegance, and loads of complexity

David Powell takes pride in his Chateauneuf du Pape-styled The Steading, and the 2004 (a 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 20% Shiraz blend aged 22 months in old wood) is a superb example of this cuvee. Its deep plum/ruby color is accompanied by a big, rich bouquet of resiny pine forest scents interwoven with kirsch liqueur, blackberries, pepper, and spice. Full-bodied, pure, heady, complex, and nuanced, it should drink well for 7-10 years.

The 2001 The Steading is an age worthy effort. Made from the same blend as the Juveniles, but aged 18 months in old French and American hogsheads (300 liter barrels), it exhibits a deep plum/garnet color in addition to a big, spice-driven nose of cinnamon, pepper, soy, damp earth, dried herbs, and red as well as black fruits. Ripe, full-bodied, and complex, it is a French-styled red that should drink well for a decade.

The 2005 The Steading is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mataro, and 20% Shiraz aged for 22 months in used French oak. David Powell?s interpretation of top-of-the-line Chateauneuf du Pape is spot-on. Purple-colored, it offers a fabulous nose of damp earth, garrigue, clove, kirsch, and black raspberry. Full-bodied, rich, and layered, the wine is powerful, complex and yet surprisingly light on its feet. It can be enjoyed now but will easily last for a decade.