Shiraz Wine

The Laird

As one of the most revered sites in the Barossa Valley, The Laird vineyard effortlessly showcases the power, complexity and longevity of Barossa shiraz.

In Scottish terminology, ‘The Laird’ refers to the Lord of the Manor.

This south facing vineyard, nestled in the ridge between Seppeltsfield and Marananga and planted in 1958, demonstrates its unique soil structure, micro-climate and distinctive clone resulting in a wine of extraordinary power and restraint.

Meticulously hand-tended, the five-acre vineyard yields low quantities of small, concentrated berries, resulting in a powerful and luxurious wine, with a dense, complex and alluring palate that can be cellared for decades in one’s collection of the finest wines of the world.

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Torbreck is the name of a forest near Inverness, Scotland and you’ll find more than a passing nod to the Celts in our wine naming conventions. The Laird of the Estate in Scotland is the Lord of the Manor and master of all he surveys.

Current Vintage 2019

The growing season was defined by a continuously warm to hot summer with no effective rainfall, wind and hail at flowering, and followed with three major frosts - resulting in an earlier and much smaller harvest than average. These tough conditions produced smaller clusters of intensely dark berries with thick fleshy skins contrasted against brown mature stalks. Whilst yields were down, once these vineyards were fermenting in our cellar the concentration of colour, tannin and aroma of the 2019 vintage was revealed.

Current Vintage 2018

An above average winter rainfall led into a below average spring and summer rainfall, producing small bunches and small berries, leading to a reduced yield. Quality was certainly high, particular amongst our red varieties of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. 2018 wines will be remembered for their impressive colour, structure and longevity.

Current Vintage 2017

After a cold and rainy winter in 2016, the Barossa had one of its wettest springs on record, replenishing sub-soil moisture and setting the vineyards up for a healthy summer. Mild conditions during veraison and light rains in January and February 2017, were followed by an extended warm, dry Indian summer, creating perfect ripening conditions through to April 2017. An outstanding vintage producing bright, aromatic whites and intense, wellstructured reds.

Current Vintage 2016

Despite a dry winter during 2015, and a dry start to the growing season the Summer, rains in January freshened the older vines and provided long, slow ripening periods in between, which led to a stand-out vintage with high quality fruit. The earliest ever harvest on record (19th February West, 2nd March East), with both batches picked before another rain event in the second week of March This resulted in higher than average bunch numbers laden with tiny berries, leading to extremely concentrated ferments. Even at that early stage, it was clear we potentially had the best young Laird we had ever seen in our cellars.

Current Vintage 2015

Heady aromas of intense, rich dark fruits such as satsuma plum, blackberry and mulberry fill the bouquet with dark chocolate, spices and savoury notes combining added complexities. The palate possesses a rich concentration, with flavours of liquorice, ripe blackberries, dark plums and black cherries, evolving into a darkchocolate and mocha finish with cinnamon spice.

Current Vintage 2013

2013 will be remembered in the Barossa as the driest, earliest and quickest vintage in memory. Spring rainfall was well below average and variable weather saw a number of hot days above 35°C in both October and November, 2012. This was followed by a heat wave of temperatures over 33°C from 12-18 February, 2013 reducing yields and forcing baumés up. Almost all vineyards were picked by the end of March, 2013. Although a small yielding vintage, quality and fruit intensity was excellent.

Current Vintage 2012

The 2012 vintage will undoubtedly go down as one of the great vintages that the Barossa Valley has experienced. Completely ‘dirt driven’, there was no serious weather event that pulled the flavour profiles of the wines either way. The cool weather conditions and resulting slow ripening period allowed us to pick The Laird with perfect aromatic ripeness and purity of fruit and the sublime quality was second to none.

Current Vintage 2010

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. The winemaking in these great vintages is uncomplicated and effortless and the quality of the Laird fruit shines in the bottle. The fruit was harvested in perfect condition on the 17th of March and remained on skins for just one week. The resulting wine shows all the poise and elegance of previous Laird’s, but with another dimension that will surely place it amongst the greatest examples of Barossa Valley Shiraz.