When a third-generation commitment to a vision and legacy collides with a great vintage head on, you get a wine that is only released on vintages deemed worthy in miniscule amounts. May I introduce Taylors ‘Exceptional Parcel Release’ Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wakefield Wines- Clare Valley.
Is actually Taylors Winery was 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 1950s exhibiting great insight into the potential of the region before it was ‘known’ despite having a history dating back to the 1860s. 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 by 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 an ocean bed in the distant past. When I first visited South Australia in 1986 my host asked me the first morning there what would you like to do and I responded immediately ‘Clare Valley to taste some wine’.
Regarding vintages, Clare Valley has had 5 consecutive vintages of great to excellent quality starting with 2015 through 2019.
Wakefield ‘The Visionary’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
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 predominant ‘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.
This wine is only released on vintages deemed worthy and is produced in minuscule amounts so having two vintage releases in a row is a reflection on the quality of the wine and the region as a whole.
The nose is opulent and enticing showcasing beautiful floral notes, and a hint of eucalyptus with plums, dark fruits, and chocolate dominating the nose, like 2014, this is textbook classic Clare Valley Cabernet, just taken to the next level.
The palate is silky smooth that coats your mouth with layers of blackberries, plums raspberries with a dusting of cocoa and spices, and a hint of sweet tobacco and pencil shavings. Impressive balance and structure, fine-grained tannins, with restraint, elegance, and sophistication on display. Despite having a combined time of seven years in barrels and bottle, you would do well to decant this for 3 – 4 hours, Will cellar out to 2035 without a problem.
Pair with any red meat dishes, just be careful choosing, this is an exquisite wine and should be treated with the respect it deserves.
Vine to Table 