Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2024 vintage. Light medium body. Solid and decently done if this is your style. 6.10.26. — 14 days ago

Ed Chin

9.4

The added semillon adds to the aromatics nicely. Still a bruiser at this point and could benefit with some age given how lush the fruit is. — 9 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

With 9yrs age it doesn’t seem like any tannins have dropped. Extremely dense. Tannins are well integrated. Smooth and huge. Dark fruit. Chocolate. — 5 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

8.9

Strawberries and bready yeast on the nose. A beautiful rosey salmon color with fine fine perlage making the mouth literally sparkle alive. I just wish there was more to the palate. — 6 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.3

Laird killed it with their new remodel. Love how you can see both the vineyards and production from the deck. This wine is a great value for a single vineyard. — 9 years ago

Steven Gullo

9.0

Worth the price. Seriously good apple brandy from NJ — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

From Double Magnum this was in top form, brought by Greg from Torbreck. Rich plummy pruney silky Barossa Valley Shiraz. The Factor sits with The Descendant in the Torbreck Shiraz Hierarchy below Run Rig and The Laird. — 9 years ago

Corey Zamora, CSW

9.1

Intense floral aromas, on the palate-balance of grass, and florals. Pretty wine — 10 years ago

Chris Coulombe

8.9

Solid cab. Not strong tannin but it is balance and a medium body. Good fruit forward taste. — 3 months ago

Lou Dizzle

9.6

Good laird — 3 years ago

Karen Tripson

9.3

Top shelf! — 3 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

8.9

Palle yellow color. Aromas pineapple, hibiscus and underripe pear. Tropical flavors, jasmine, and a crisp, dry finish. Brazilian spices on chicken and English Potatoes-with Worcestershire gravy. — 6 years ago

Steven Lee

9.3

Fried bee hoon war. Same vineyard as torbreck the laird. Very good. Dark fruit, heavy, brooding, anise, vanila, liquorice, sweet, chinese soy sauce, hint of chinese tea leave, velvety, chocolate and multilayer complexity. Can go for few more years — 8 years ago

Ganesh

8.9

Fruity. Drinkable. Food friendly. Perfect example of Carneros Pinot — 9 years ago

Dave Schneider

9.4

Wow, I bought this wine years ago and thought it was just good. 6 years later I opened it up and it's simply stunning. The oak and tannins have melted away into a gorgeously soft and plush wine. I originally bought this to honor my friend laird. Thought it was funny. Glad I did! — 10 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2019 vintage. This blend is (from memory so don't quote me) 63% Cab Sauv. 18% Syrah, 12% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. The 2018 was great bang for the buck at $15 a btl resto cost. Slightly less richness in the frontal palate than the 2018 but it is an apples/oranges situation. 2019 vintage up a dollar to a whopping $16 btl cost. Drinking really well and couldn't really ask for more for a Napa red blend. Great large party wine and cheap enuff to cancel out overpriced, Napa red blends juice guilt. Ordered 3 cases. 10.8.25. — 9 months ago

Ming L

9.0

This underwent 100% malolactic and spent 10 months in 30% new French oak, so it has a creamy palate ripe with stone fruits. Yet it does not feel heavy or cloying. Oak is well managed and acidity manages to be fresh. Quite enjoyable.

The Laird family holds about 2000 acres of vineyards in Napa Valley, including Suscol and Linda Vista. Red Hen is the home estate. — 3 years ago

Benno

9.2

Somewhat more drinkable than the Laird, yet still a monster. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Our marinaded tri-trip wine.

Good things happen when you take a good producer’s entry level wine and lay it down for 4-5 years. Then, pair with the right food.

Torbreck makes in descending quality order that I have had; The Laird ($400-$700), RunRig ($175-$200+), The Descendant & The Factor (around $90-$100 ish), their Struie (around $50) and the Woodcutter’s ($16-$24 depending on where you buy it).

The Woodcutter’s shows itself to be a close relative but, lacks some of the structure, depth and quality of fruit from its other siblings. However, the QPR is undeniable!

There are two things I am trying to convey. You don’t always need to spend $100 to $100’s for a really good quality wine. Second, even if you lay down a good entry level wine from a good producer in at least in a good vintage, very good things come through.

This shows, dark currants, ruby, candied; purple fruit mix, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum & blue fruits. Sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, mixed berry cola, soft leather, wood shavings, dry herbaceous notes, dark spice, softly, layered baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg, hints of cinnamon, understated mint/eucalyptus with dark, purple, blue flowers in a violet & lavender bouquet.

The body is; rich; ruby and full. The tannins are round, tarry, chewy and meaty. The structure, tension, length and balance are just a couple steps short of its peak. Dark currants, ruby, candied; purple fruit mix, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum & blue fruits. Sweet tarriness, dark, used, expresso grounds, anise to black licorice, limestone, black pepper, dry, crushed rocks, mixed berry cola, soft leather, wood shavings, dry herbaceous notes, dark spice with palate heat, more pronounced & layered baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg, hints of cinnamon stick, dark, rich turned earth, dark top soils, understated mint/eucalyptus with dark, purple, blue flowers in a violet & lavender bouquet. The acidity is round and nicely done. The long finish is, juicy to dry earthy, well balanced, elegant and persists without end.

The 2013 Woodcutter’s has another 10-15 years of good drinking ahead.

Photos of; their new tasting bar, Sofia during our private tasting with their International Brand Manager and that famous Barossa red clay soil structure with Estate vines. — 7 years ago

Katie Roberts

9.6

Very nice. — 10 years ago