Deep garnet colored with a touch of remaining purple at the rim, the 2012 The Laird is one of those wines you could just go on smelling all day. It opens with a complex perfume of kirsch, dried mulberries, blackberry tart and spice cake over cloves, mocha, dusty earth, incense, star anise, yeast extract and aged beef. The full-bodied palate is drop-dead seductive, unfurling in the mouth to reveal exotic spice, meat, earth and berry preserves layers, supported by firm, velvety tannins and seamless acid. The finish seems to go on forever—and this is exactly what you want it to do. Stunning.

Powerful, polished and smooth, with heady aromas of sandalwood, sarsaparilla, pepper and cigar box, giving way to a core of dark fruit flavors and a slice of toasted date nut bread. Intense and persistent on the epic finish, but never loses a sense of elegance, with grace notes of Earl Grey tea and dried violet that linger. Shiraz. Drink now through 2035. 125 cases made, 25 cases imported.??–MW??Region: Australia / Barossa / Barossa Valley Select to Add