Wakefield Estate Merlot

Description

Wakefield Estate Merlot is made from 100% Merlot grapes which are sourced from vineyards in the Limestone Coast and Clare Valley wine-growing regions of Australia. The 2020 is a blend of 48% Clare Valley and 52% Limestone Coast fruit.

Wakefield Wines, also known as Taylor’s Wines, is situated in the heart of Clare Valley, South Australia. Founded by wine merchant Bill Taylor Senior in 1969, the winery’s origins began with the purchase of 178 hectares of vineyards near the Wakefield River in Auburn. Bill Taylor carefully selected this site for its red-brown loam over limestone soils, known as “terra rossa”, and the region’s cool climate. That same year, the first Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted. Wakefield Wines is known under its original name of Taylor’s Wines in Australia and they are a member of Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW) alongside other prestigious producers such as Jim Barry, Tyrrells and d’Arenberg.

Today, the winery is managed by Mitchell Taylor, the third-generation winemaker and grandson of Bill Taylor Senior. Under his leadership, Wakefield Wines has gained recognition as one of Australia’s esteemed cool-climate producers. Almost all grapes come from 300 hectares of family-owned vineyards in the Mt. Lofty Ranges, making it one of the largest single-estate plantings in the country. While the focus remains on their estate fruit, they also source grapes from trusted growers in regions like Coonawarra. Various varieties are planted including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Tempranillo, Carménère and Grenache. 

Wakefield Wines produces a range of wines, including their estate offerings and the Jaraman and St Andrew’s ranges. With a commitment to sustainability and a focus on expressing the unique terroir of Clare Valley, Taylor’s Wines continues to craft exceptional wines that reflect the family’s legacy and dedication to quality. They are also at the vanguard of sustainability among Australian wineries with many initiatives including drip irrigation, ammonia energy-saving refrigeration, solar panels etc. and are on track to become a carbon-neutral winery.

The grapes for Wakefield Estate Merlot are sourced from the Clare Valley (48%) and Limestone Coast (52%) wine-growing regions. After harvest the bunches are de-stemmed and fermented in stainless steel. After the first fermentation the fruit is pressed into more stainless steel where it undergoes malolactic fermentation. The wine is finally aged for 6 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels before being blended & bottled after minimal filtration.

Wakefield Wines are known under their original name of Taylor’s Wines in Australia and members of Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW) alongside other prestigious producers such as Jim Barry, Tyrrells and d’Arenberg.