Torbreck The Laird Shiraz 2016

Torbreck The Laird Shiraz is a red wine made from Shiraz in the Marananga sub-region, (Barossa Valley) by Torbreck.

In Scottish terminology, "The Laird" refers to the lord of the manor. This single vineyard Shiraz comes from an old Marananga vineyard planted in 1958. Facing south, on the eastern side of a ridge separating the Seppeltsfield and Marananga appellations, they are meticulously hand tended, cultivated and pruned in the traditional way by growers with a lifetime of experience in the soils of the western Barossa. The resulting low yields make the vineyard the envy of all winemakers in the area.

Once the wine was made, Torbreck returned it to the Seppelts knowing it was the best wine they had ever made at the winery; in 2005 they convinced the family to sell the grapes to Torbreck and The Laird was born; later, in 2013, Torbreck took over the Gnadenfrei property in order to secure The Laird's reputation as one of the best plot grown Shiraz in the world.

99 pt. James Suckling

98 pt. Robert Parker

98 pt. Halliday

Torbreck The Laird Shiraz Tasting Notes

Appearance: Deep purple colour, opaque.
Nose: Powerful but refined aromas of rich dark fruits such as satsuma plum, blackberry and blackberry fill the bouquet. Blackberry and mulberry fill the bouquet, complemented by cocoa beans and roasted espresso.
Palate: Seductive spices, such as cinnamon and liquorice, balanced with savoury notes of damp earth and native eucalyptus, combine with damp earth and native eucalyptus combine with added complexities. The palate possesses concentration, balanced by round, soft tannins and an enveloping mouthfeel.
This vintage shows all the opulence and elegance of previous Laird's, but with a complexity, precision and prominence that will see it age for the next 30 to 50 years.