98 points - "The Factor is a sensationally complex wine in 2022, and this time, microscopic ball bearings of spectacular flavour pin-ball around the palate, gathering glorious flavour-static and releasing it asunder. This is a thrillingly energetic wine, pulsing with tension, electricity, and profoundly attractive Shiraz fruit notes. There are few young wines as handsome and polished as The Factor, and this is one of the most forward and immediately impressive releases in memory." - Matthew Jukes (MatthewJukes.com)

96 points - "The 2022 The Factor is a celebration of old-vine vineyards in Barossa. Aromatically, this philosophy is clear as day in the wine. Barossa is stylistically adaptable and flexible, and at its best, it's able to convey a sense of meatiness, charred bacon fat, alongside kicked red earth and brick dust, an array of exotic spices and purple fruit, all the while conveying balance and focus. These are the best examples of its capability. All of these things are evident in this wine, and it shows concentration and length in spades. It's a big, powerful wine but balanced too. Excellent." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

96 points - "Complex aromas of blackberry compote, roasted coffee beans, iodine, graphite, olive tapenade, dark chocolate, blood plums and baking spices. The palate has a deep, luscious mouthfeel with firmly framed tannins that lead into a viscous and textural finish. So much concentration and old-vine character that is built for the ages. Exceptional. Made from vines planted in 1850s on one acre in Lyndoch." - Ryan Montgomery (James Suckling)

96 points - "Deep crimson. Very attractive dark chocolate dark berry wax polish, touch marzipan notes. Richly concentrated and flavourful with black cherry, dark plum stone fruit, cedar marzipan flavours, very good mid-palate richness and plentiful loose-knit grainy tannins. Finishes clearly firm with aniseed notes. Impressively dense and vigorous with lovely flow and length. Stylish and individually Torbreck in style. Let the elements fold further, though. Drink 2027–2038+" - Andrew Caillard (The Vintage Journal)

94 points - "The Factor, a subregional blend of shiraz from across the parishes of the Barossa, is again in rude form after the excellent '21 release. Fruit aromas of blood plum, blackberry and black cherry fruits with hints of clove, kirsch, dark chocolate bullets, cherry ripe, ironstone, blackforest cake, spicy oak and earth. Concentrated and darkly spiced with a flow of black fruits, plenty of spice, fine, sandy tannins and an extended draw on the exit." - Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)

The Factor pays homage to the Barossa’s unique point of difference – great old Shiraz vineyards and the growers who painstakingly tend and nurture them each year.

Many of these vineyards were planted in the 19th century and because of South Australia’s far-sighted quarantine policy, were not affected by the phylloxera outbreak that ravaged the vineyards of the world in the 1880s. They survive on their own roots more than a century later as clonal time capsules.

The reputation of the Barossa as the pre-eminent red wine growing region of Australia rests firmly on wines such as this.

Vintage Summary (2022)

The 2022 vintage was characterised by above average winter rains making up for a dry autumn, leading to full canopies and healthy vines for the harvest. A severe hailstorm across some parts of the Valley in late October resulted in lower average yields.

The summer was remarkably mild with very few days above 30 degrees. Slow ripening in the cooler conditions made for a gentle and drawn-out vintage season, resulting in wines with higher natural acidity, rich colours and fine tannins. The wines from 2022 will reward those patient enough to cellar them away.

Winemaking

The Factor is a powerful expression of old-vine Shiraz sourced from select vineyards along the Barossa Valley’s Western Ridge. Fruit is hand-harvested and fermented in traditional open-top fermenters, with extended skin contact to develop depth and tannin structure. The wine is then basket-pressed and matured for 24 months in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barriques.

Bottled unfined and unfiltered, The Factor captures the bold, brooding character of Barossa Shiraz with remarkable balance and longevity.

Tasting Note

The Factor is predominantly from the Gomersal and Marananga sub-regions of the Barossa. Very expressive with lifted black fruits such as satsuma plum, blackberry compote, maraschino cherry, vanilla bean, dark cocoa and a secondary note of black tea, dark cocoa and espresso grounds. Complex, luxuriously dense and alluring. The mineral components highlight Barossa Ironstone, dried earth and eucalypt.

The wine’s voluptuous texture envelops the mouth with soft yet dense tannins and mouth filling viscosity. The flavours linger and the cleansing acidity polishes the palates gorgeous length and depth. Oak maturation is harmonious and well-integrated adding to complexity on release. A modern version of a Barossa classic that will age for 20+ years. Enjoy from 2024 -2045. Best decanted and paired with rich winter dishes from most cuisines. Serve at 16C