Wakefield, known in Australia as Taylors, are a leading Clare Valley producer, and they have recently begun making two very high-end wines: The Pioneer Shiraz and The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon. I tasted the 2012 releases. These are very fine, expressive wines, not just relying on power and concentration. They are fermented in upturned barrels, which are sealed for a post ferment maceration, then cleaned and re-used to mature the wine in.

Wakefield The Pioneer Shiraz 2014 South Australia
14% alcohol. Fresh, vivid nose of pure cherries and plums with some hints of mint and spice, as well as a bit of blackberry. The palate is vivid and fresh with nice precision to the berry fruits and some fine spiciness. There’s a juiciness here as well as good concentration of fruit, and everything is nicely supported by fine-grained tannins. Sleek and refined, and not in any way a monster, with real elegance. This should have a long future. 94/100

Wakefield The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Clare Valley, Australia
14% alcohol. Lovely aromatics: very Aussie with blackcurrant bud, mint, spice and cedar notes acting together in harmony. The palate shows sweet blackberry and blackcurrant fruit with some fine black cherry notes. There’s a nice savoury spiciness here and a real sense of harmony. Great potential for further development. 94/100

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