Flagship Shiraz from Brand’s Laira. Stelvin Luxe screw cap and tactile packaging. Originally made by Peter Weinberg and as Trent Brand as the viticulturist (as evidenced from the signatures on the bottle). From 2022 vintage on, Brooke Blair is Lead Winemaker.  

Brand’s Laira, Stentiford’s, Shiraz, Coonawara, 2016

Garnet colour with dullish red rim. Unfortunately tired and secondary nose: Balsamic, old leather, woody rosemary herb, plum jam, pencil shavings, animalistic lamb skin/lanolin with some chocolatey oak and regional minty nuances. The palate rustic and clunky. Fruit feels tired and wan with smearing tannins and a weird bright fresh kick of acidity at the close. Technically not faulty but unfortunately not the greatest representation of Coonawarra Shiraz, perhaps the bottle has had a hard life?

RRP: $80
Alc: 14%
Rating: 16.5/20 (86/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Brand’s Laira, part of Casella Family Brands