2010 Torbreck The Laird Shiraz

In Scottish terminology, ‘The Laird’ refers to the Lord of the Manor. This single vineyard Shiraz comes from an old vineyard in Marananga planted in 1958, a plot which remains the focus of envy amongst many of the region's winemakers. Previously owned and operated by the legendary Malcolm Seppelt, the vineyard was purchased by Torbreck in 2014 and is perfectly sited with the dry grown, original Barossa clones south east facing. The berries are typically small and concentrated and usually harvested in two separate passes.
The French oak selected for the maturation of this wine is considered to be some of the finest in the world. Referred to as Dominique Laurent's 'Magic Casks', the wood is selected from the incredibly tiny and highly prized Troncais forest. The staves are hand spilt in the French tradition and twice as thick as machine spilt staves. As a result of the extra thickness the barrels are able to sustain an extended maturation process due to the tighter porosity that comes with the extra wood. Maturation took place in the new hand crafted French oak barriques for a period of 36 months. The barrels were stored in their own temperature controlled, ancient stone shed. In short, no expense has been spared.
Vintage conditions: 2010 will undoubtedly be chronicled as one of the great Barossa Valley Vintages. Good winter rains set the dry grown Laird vineyard up for consistent bud burst while spring rains provided perfect growing conditions. A cooler than average summer followed to create near perfect circumstances for crafting Barossa Valley Shiraz.

‘A Spectacular wine that takes hedonism to a whole new level.’

Impenetrable midnight black colour with a very deep dark purple black hue. Incredibly intense and intoxicating aromas of liquorice, dark chocolate, ripe blackberries and dark plums send the olfactory senses into a trance followed by a complex array of mocha, smoky vanillin oak and spice. Extraordinarily powerful and rich the palate possesses liqueur like concentration with explosive flavours of liquorice, ripe blackberries, dark plums and black cherries engulfing the palate followed by dark chocolate, mocha, smoky vanillin oak, a touch of meatiness and spice. Mind boggling length with a robust solidly built tannin structure that is largely hidden by the gobs of fruit and the wines decadently opulent texture. Exceptionally long aftertaste of liquorice, dark chocolate, ripe blackberries, dark plum, mocha, smoky vanillin oak and spice that lasts for minutes. Very Limited stocks.
Cellar 10-15 years. 
Alc 15.5%