Wakefield Wines- Clare Valley.
Is actually Taylors Winery originally established in 1969 by Bill Taylor who was a Pub owner and Wine Merchant in Sydney who sold what could have been the first ‘private label’ in Australia- Chateau Clare. Their association with the Clare Valley Co-operative to produce the Chateau Clare wine dates back to the 1950’s exhibiting great insight to the potential of the region before it was ‘known’ despite having a history dating back to the 1860’s. Today the winery and wine making responsibilities lay squarely with third generation Mitchell Taylor (along with his three brothers) who continues his father and grandfather’s vision and respect for the land, the soil and the grapes.
A Note About the Region.
Both the region and the winery have a reputation for making elegant restrained wines that will cellar out decades helped along with a perfect Mediterranean climate and ideal soil and rainfall. Riesling and later Shiraz and Cabernet were the early stars but plantings of Malbec, Pinot Grigio Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Grenache have been making their presence known over the past 20 years or so. The region sits between 1,300 and 1,600 feet in altitude with warm days and cool nights. Looking over the region with vineyards spread across the landscape, it’s hard to believe it was ocean bed in the distant past. When I first visited South Australia in 1986 my host asked me first morning there what would you like to do and I responded immediately ‘Clare Valley to taste some wine’.
Re vintages, Clare Valley has had 5 consecutive vintages of great to excellent quality starting with 2015 through 2019 covering three of the wines today.
Promised Land Releases- Value Driven that over delivers.
Quick note about the Promised Land releases. These wines are their ‘entry level’ wines but drink anything but. With the care and attention to detail that was handed down from their founder Bill Taylor and carried on three generations late. Try them and you’ll see what I mean. It’s worth mentioning the seahorse on the label was inspired by the 1,000’s of seahorses discovered when the family dug their first dam on the property to ensure a water supply during times of drought. I should also mention these wines define the very concept of value driven.
Promised Land Cabernet 2018
The nose is restrained but loaded with red fruits, chocolate and spices and entices you to take a sip. The mouthfeel is surprisingly smooth and velvety with blackberries, red cherries, red currents with hints of chocolate and spices in a nice finish. Excellent value and a great drink. Cellar to 2025 without a concern.
Promise Land Shiraz 2019
Again, Clair Valley restraint with dark fruits, plums, eucalyptus and spices dominating the nose- all Shiraz. The palate is all blueberries and raspberries with secondary notes of plum, pepper and just a hint of licorice. This is the perfect cook out wine when you invite a group of friends over.
Clare Valley Riesling 2020 – Impressive follow up to 2019 release.
The nose on this wine is enticing with layers of citrus, white stone fruits, field flowers and just a hint of petrol, makes you want to jump right in and take a sip. Mouthfeel is crisp and clean with a mouthwatering freshness. Layers of lemon and lime, orange rind, honeyed pear and ginger all go together beautifully to impress, with great acidity and balance. Very similar in style to the 2019 vintage which was their 50th Anniversary release. Pair this with shellfish, seafood and Asian chicken dishes and elevate the experience. Absolute delight to drink. Will cellar this out till 2030 without a problem.
Clare Valley Cabernet 2017 – 50th Anniversary Release.
This has all the hall marks of a Barossa Cabernet with a wonderful Clare Valley twist with some altitude, elegance and finesse thrown in. This is great drinking at Tuesday night prices- definitely over delivers. The nose is all dark fruits with a hint of spices but the palate reveals far more. Thick rich layers of blackberries, blueberries and plums with secondary notes of spices, cedar, vanilla and sweet tobacco (reminiscent of northern Barossa, about 10 miles to the west) Very approachable and far too easy to drink. Pair this with any red meat from the grill and hamburgers all day long!! Cellar to 2028 with confidence.
Clare Valley Shiraz 2018 – Great Aussie Shiraz.
All Barossa Shiraz on the nose and again, with that typical restraint and elegance that comes with some altitude and a cooler climate. From the outset, this is an impressive Shiraz that quite blatantly over delivers. Enticing nose and a palate that welcomes you like an old friend. Wonderful soft mouthfeel, with layers of dark fruits, ripe plums, with just a smattering of red fruits, white pepper, dark chocolate, mint and just a hint of sweetness. Cellar to 2028 with confidence.
Wakefield ‘The Visionary’ Cabernet 2014
Tasted this on initial opening and was impressive but one sip told me to let this sit and decanter for a few hours- you won’t regret it. The wine was dedicated to Bill Taylor who was most definitely a visionary. In 1969 he purchased 178 acres and planted Riesling and more importantly Cabernet when the predominate ‘Wine’ coming out of the area was Port. He has a vision that Clare Valley would one day be recognized as a great red wine producing region, and not just for Riesling.
The nose is seductive with beautiful floral notes underpinned with dark fruits, plums, chocolate and coffee with just hint of eucalyptus and leaves you, in no uncertain terms, you’re going to taste an impressive wine.
This is text book classic Clare Valley Cabernet, just elevated to the next level.
The palate is silky smooth that envelopes loads of ripe blackberries, dark raspberries, plums with chocolate, coffee, spices, sweet tobacco and a dusty earthy note playing a supportive role. Great body and structure, fine grain tannins and enough elegance and finesse to stretch two bottles. Loads of character and appeal and an absolute delight to drink. This has had three years barrel aging and five years in the bottle and still needs decanting. This will cellar out to 2030 without a problem and I suspect well beyond.
Pair with any red meat dishes, just be careful choosing, this really is an exquisite wine and should be treated with the respect it deserves.
Vine to Table 