2013 Taylors Wakefield St Andrews Shiraz Clare Valley

When Wine Enthusiast compiled The Enthusiast 100 of 2016, their wine pros, who taste thousands of wines a year, chose this 2013 Taylors Wakefield St Andrews Shiraz Clare Valley to grace their list ofstandout winesto buy and drink over the next few years. As it approaches its 10-year mark, this Shiraz is still going strong and has several more years to shine.

It’s produced in the Clare Valley region located along South Australia's Mount Lofty Ranges about 65 miles north of Adelaide. The Shiraz from Clare Valley—one of Australia's oldest winemaking regions—is highly regarded around the world. Third-generation family winery Wakefield, founded in 1969 by Bill Taylor, only releases their flagship St. Andrews wines from the best blocks on the estate andcrafted only in the best vintages. In 2013, harvest quality was outstanding for Shiraz, with excellent acid balance and flavor development displayed in the resultant wines.

The 2013 St. Andrews Shiraz is big and bold, indicative of Clare Valley and indicative of Australia, but it’s also structured and balanced,showcasing how well made Australian Shiraz can be.

In 1969, after a considerable search, the Taylor family found a promising 178-hectare site by the Wakefield River in the Clare Valley. They were certain the soil – Terra Rossa (red loam over limestone) – would prove conducive to crafting wines of the highest quality. The contrast of warm days and cool nights in the Clare Valley would be equally beneficial – helping the grapes ripen in the day and allowing the vines to rest at night.

Wakefield’s goal is to be Australia’s top wine company, applying best practice principles in environmental management to enhance sustainable business activities and products. Favoring use of the most innovative techniques available, the winery strives to improve energy efficiency, water conservation, and packaging.

The St. Andrews range of wines is named after a historic property in the Clare Valley, first established in 1892 by Scottish immigrants. For years, St. Andrews was one of the leading producers in the area but ceased operating in the 1930s. Recognizing the potential of this land, which lay adjacent Wakefield’s first vineyards, founder Bill Taylor purchased the property in 1995 and replanted, releasing the first vintage in 1999. These critically acclaimed wines are only made in exceptional vintages and from top estate parcels.

Aging: A percentage of the wine was barrel fermented and the final blend was matured in high quality, water-bent American oak barrels for 20 months prior to filtering and bottling.

100% Shiraz. Complex and enticing bouquet of dark berry fruit along with juicy black plum, spice, cedar, and hints of chocolate and roasted coffee.
Rich and complex with layers of dark berry fruits layered with lashings of coffee, chocolate, and spice from high-quality oak. The palate builds further with well-balanced, elegant tannins delivering a very generous and complete wine with textural complexity and long, persistent flavors.

The Taylor family selected Clare Valley for its Cabernet affinity, but thisShiraz is a knockout. Yes, it's oaky—full of menthol, vanilla, and toasted coconut—but there's just enough black cherry and plum fruit to support the wood. It's aplush, full-bodied wine with an immense appeal, for drinking now–2025 ~95 Wine Enthusiast.

***Free Shipping on 6 or More Bottles of This Wine***