Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Torbreck
Label Name:
 
Laird
Vintage:
 
2017
Country:
 
Australia
Region:
 
Barossa Valley (Gnadenfrei vineyard, Marananga)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
15.5%
Grape(s):
 
100% Shiraz
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Critic scores: Wine Advocate 97 (Tyson Stelzer/WA 97+ cited), Wine Companion 98 (Dave Brookes), James Suckling 95

Tasting Note
Dense, opulent shiraz with black plum, blackberry, cassis, licorice, dark chocolate, espresso and savoury meat/earth notes. Plush, mineral-edged tannins and a long, spice-laden finish.

Food Pairing
Western: grilled ribeye, roast lamb, braised short ribs, aged cheddar. Asian: char siu, Korean BBQ (galbi), Sichuan pepper beef, hoisin-glazed duck, teriyaki beef skewers.

Production Method
Hand-harvested, destemmed, fermented in small open-top fermenters, basket-pressed; matured 36 months in 100% new French oak (Dominique Laurent) then bottled unfined/unfiltered and cellared ~24 months before release.

Vineyard Info
Torbreck, founded 1994, focuses on old-vine Barossa fruit. The Laird is single-vineyard Shiraz from the Gnadenfrei (planted 1958) in Marananga; low-yield, dry-grown vines producing concentrated berries.