2012 Torbreck Shiraz The Laird 750ml

VM97

Inky ruby. Powerful, deep-pitched aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, violet, incense, mocha and Indian spices are lifted by a strong suggestion of smoky minerals. Utterly stains the palate with densely packed blackberry, blueberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that slowly stretch out and become sweeter with aeration. Conveys a distinctly powerful character but comes off elegant, showing no rough edges. The strikingly long, gently tannic finish eventually leaves behind sappy blue fruit liqueur, vanilla and spicecake qualities. (Drink between 2022-2032)

~Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 97 points