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2006 Torbreck The Laird Shiraz
For those of you wondering if the Laird’s record setting price tag is just an exercise in one-upmanship, then stop right here. We attended a recent comparative tasting where Torbreck’s Laird was benchmarked against the world’s greats - Montrose, Vega Sicilia Unico, J.L. Chave, La Landonne, Grange and Henschke - the Laird stood tall.
This is greatness with an Australian bent; a vinous benchmark that stretches the definitions of iconic Shiraz to levels rarely attained in our winemaking history. The fruit is sourced from the small five acre Gnadenfrei vineyard planted in 1958, owned and operated by the legendary Malcolm Seppelt. The French oak selected for the maturation of this wine is considered to be some of the finest in the world. Selected from the incredibly tiny and revered Troncais forrest, 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. The fruit is harvested in two separate parcels and maturation takes place in the new hand crafted French oak barriques for a period of 36 months which are stored in their own temperature controlled, ancient stone shed.
Totally opaque black purple colour with black dark purple hue. Magnificent nose showing both complexity and intensity with perfumed scents of black plum, dark chocolate and liquorice followed by some mocha vanilla like notes and a touch of spice. Spectacularly rich and possessing an awesome level of concentration the palate delivers an explosive mouthfilling flavour experience of liquorice, dark chocolate, vanillin confectionary, toast and spice all wrapped up in a sumptuous velvety texture. Incredible depth with exceptionally long and very persistent aftertaste of dark chocolate, liquorice, vanilla and toasty oak.
Cellar 8-10 years (2019-2021).
Alc 14.8%