Wakefield Wines is owned and managed by the Taylor family of Australia. Their wines trade as ‘Taylor Wines’ in most of the Southern Hemisphere and Asia. They trade as ‘Wakefield Wines’ in most of the Northern Hemisphere, including Canada, due to trademark restrictions concerning the primarily Port producer, Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman Ltd.
Although the winery was established 1969, previous to this, Bill Taylor senior along with sons, Bill and John were publicans and wine merchants in Sydney, NSW with an avowed passion for premium red wine from Bordeaux. Their passion led them to believe they could produce wine of similar or better quality in Australia. In 1969, after considerable research, they uncovered a 178 Ha plot of terra rossa soil over limestone in the Clare Valley enjoying suitable diurnal temperature swings—warm days, cool nights—good drainage and a fairly high water table. It’s here they dug in their vines and their lofty aspirations.
Their very first 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon vintage netted the ‘Best Red Wine in Show’ at nearby Adelaide and followed up that year winning gold at every national show it entered. Their Estate Cabernet Sauvignon continues to be sourced from the same vineyard. Perhaps the most striking thing about this family and their wine is their total dedication to excellence. They remain family-owned and run without pressure to reach ever-escalating pre-tax profits as with many public corporations. They are proud members of the select group of Australia’s First Families of Wine. Touring the winery, learning of their history and walking the vineyards left me appreciative of their family vision, values and continuing passion to make value-for-money, exceptional wine, across their broad portfolio. They farm and produce sustainably. Their Eighty Acres range of wines is the first, international 100% carbon neutral wine, having its carbon footprint assessed using the international standard for life-cycle assessment (ISO14044). They offset via reforestation, re-cycled water and light-weight bottles.
An enlightening, enjoyable luncheon with 3rd generation Clinton Taylor, Company Director and General Manager Winery Operations did nothing but strengthen belief it's one of the most innovative, progressive, family-run wineries in Australia. In 2015, for the 3rd consecutive year, Taylor was included in the top five best performing wineries in the world. Their 2013 Estate Chardonnay was the most awarded Chardonnay in the world; in the top 10 Syrah/Shiraz wines in the world, they take up three spots—most of any winery—with the 2012 St Andrews Shiraz, 2013 Estate Shiraz and 2010 St Andrews Shiraz. In the Top 100 Wines of the World, Taylors Wines make up six on the list, with more points than any other Australian winery.
New in Vintages
The following 2018 Wakefield ‘Estate’ Shiraz is a Vintages Essentials wine, always available in select LCBO stores. After harvest from nearby estate vines, fruit was whisked to the winery, de-stemmed, gently pressed and stainless-steel fermented then transferred to American oak barrels for 100% malolactic conversion (a non-alcoholic fermentation that converts tart-tasting malic acid into softer lactic acid) then the wine blissfully matured for 12 months in the American oak barrels before bottling.
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Wakefield ‘Estate’ Shiraz 2018
Clare Valley $18.95 (943787) 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of black cherry, berry and plum intertwine with baking spice and cocoa on the nose of this value-laden shiraz. It spreads over the palate creamy smooth and medium-plus bodied while unleashing a gusher of fruit-forward flavour of ripe mulberry, black plum and ripe Bing cherry adorned with balancing tang and a boatload of pizzazz. It showcases persistent purity of fruit, is balanced on a pin and sports a dry, delectable finish with palate replays plus a hint of cassis and dark, bittersweet chocolate. Pour with friends and slow-cooked lamb shoulder or grilled rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)
New in the LCBO Portfolio
Anytime you see Wakefield and Shiraz together on a wine label, it commands a second look. If it’s 750 mL and the price below, purchase a few, ask questions later.
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Wakefield ‘Promised Land’ Shiraz 2018
South Australia $14.95 (441543) 14.0% alcohol
This is medium bodied, nicely textured, well balanced with a lengthy finish. Aromas of red and black fruit—cherry and currant—interlace with wisps of earthy notes and a sprig of mixed herbs. A broad tapestry of delectable flavours flow over the palate—juicy black cherry and dark bramble berry mingling with mocha and dried herbs—and persist through the lengthy, dry finish. Delightful sipped on its own, it’s a great pairing with grilled beef, game or fowl from the barbeque. (Vic Harradine)
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Wakefield ‘Promised Land’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
South Australia $14.95 (358838) 14.0% alcohol
Here’s an under-priced cabernet you won’t want to pass up; it punches way above the price. Spice, floral notes and red and black berry fruit aromas abound. It envelops the palate with a well-textured flow of alluring flavours—black juicy cherry and dark bramble berry fruit melding nicely with racy tang in the red cherry/berry spectrum. Medium-plus bodied, ready to drink and creamy smooth, it’s a perfect dance partner with meat-laden pizza, backyard burgers or grilled gourmet sausage. (Vic Harradine)
Upstream in Winecurrent
Vintages Release: March 21, 2020
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Wakefield ‘Estate’ Chardonnay 2018
Clare Valley $16.95 (711556) 13.0% alcohol
The price-quality balance in this gem tips wildly in your favour. Delicate aromas of mixed spice, caramel and pit fruit precede a balanced and beautiful wash of palate flavours with a bowl of tropical fruit with grilled pineapple and mango to the fore interweaving with white peach, lemon zest and wisps of grapefruit. There’s persistent purity of fruit, creamy texture and lengthy delectable finish and aftertaste. Don’t be afraid to pick up an armful; it’s food friendly and a crowd pleaser. Give it a go with beer-can roast chicken or pan-seared pork cutlets. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: July 11, 2020
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Wakefield ‘Jaraman’ Shiraz 2018
Clare Valley/McLaren Vale $24.95 (377036) 14.5% alcohol
Highly perfumed aromas of roses and violets introduce this fabulous shiraz. An oxymoron that it’s both delicate and powerful, but it is. It’s also medium-full bodied and silky smooth on the palate with fruit-forward flavours of sweet ripe bramble berry melding perfectly with crunchy pie cherry adorned with dark chocolate, grilled savory herbs and espresso roast gliding easily over the palate infusing the finish and aftertaste. It’s all underpinned with a dollop of ripe tannin adding structure and interest. Drink now after a two-hour aeration/decant on its own or alongside this fabulous recipe from the late, great James Beard for marinated filet of beef. (Vic Harradine
Vintages Release: TBD
• The following 2018 ‘Jaraman’ Chardonnay won ‘Best of Show Australia White Wine’ at the most recent ‘Mundus Vini Grand International Wine Awards’. It’s a unique blend of 66% Clare Valley / 34% Margaret River fruit with Taylor’s Chief Winemaker, Adam Eggins, pointing out, “The Clare Valley parcel delivers mid-palate fleshiness whilst the Margaret River component contributes restrained green fruit notes that are typical of this region.”
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Wakefield ‘Jaraman’ Chardonnay 2018
Clare Valley/Margaret River $21.95 13.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of baking spice—ginger and nutmeg—are joined by notions of lemon-lime and flinty minerality on the nose of this medium-bodied, gorgeously textured, show-stopping chardonnay. It bathes the palate with persistent purity of fruit—tangy lemon curd and wisps of racy grapefruit juxtaposed with riper, sweeter quince jelly, white nectarine and Mirabelle plum. These replay on the lingering, deftly balanced finish and aftertaste. Drink now and up to 2027 or so. It’s quite food friendly, give it a go with pork, chicken, veal or for an inspired choice – try this recipe, just for the halibut. (Vic Harradine)