Shiraz Wine

The Laird

Every now and then, in life and in wine, we are presented with unique opportunities to express ourselves and create something truly remarkable.

When rare opportunities arise, we need to capture, nurture and develop them so that their potential is fulfilled. So when Torbreck was given the opportunity to work with one of the most famous vineyards in the Barossa Valley, it became almost inevitable that the resulting wine would be truly remarkable.

In 2003, Torbreck growers and fourth generation descendants of the Seppelt family, Malcolm and Joylene Seppelt, asked our winemakers to create for them a small batch of Shiraz from their old Gnadenfrei vineyard in the sub-region of Marananga.

Planted in 1958, the five acre vineyard is traditionally dry grown and comes from an original Barossa clonal source. South facing, on the eastern side of a ridge separating the Seppeltsfield and Marananga appellations, these aged vines have been meticulously hand tended, traditionally farmed and pruned by a grower with a lifetime’s experience on Western Barossa soils of very dark, heavy clay loam over red friable clay. The resulting low yields of small, concentrated Shiraz berries make the vineyard the envy of all winemakers in the Barossa.

We looked longingly at the wine when it was returned to the Seppelts, knowing that it was the best we had ever made. In 2005 we convinced the Seppelts to sell Torbreck the fruit and The Laird was born. In 2013 Torbreck purchased the Gnadenfrei vineyard, securing The Laird’s reputation as one of the world’s great single vineyard Shiraz wines.

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 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.

Current Vintage 2008

Current Vintage 2006

Current Vintage 2005

$800.00

Size

–+

The Laird Vintages

2018 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of The Laird 2018 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's note

2018 The Laird Reviews

2017 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of The Laird 2017 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's note

2016 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of The Laird 2016 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's note

2016 The Laird Accolades

2015 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of The Laird 2015 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's note

The Laird 2015 Reviews

2013 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of The Laird 2013 vintage

Download the Winemaker's notes

Max Allen Financial Review 2018

Robert Parker Wine Advocate Review 2018

Wine Spectator Insider Review 2018

2012 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of The Laird 2012 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's notes

James Halliday Wine Companion Review 2019

2010 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of The Laird 2010 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's notes

2008 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of the The Laird's 2008 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's notes

2006 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of the The Laird's 2006 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's notes

2005 - tasting notes and reviews

Get a detailed breakdown of the The Laird's 2005 vintage.

Download the Winemaker's notes

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