• The following 2018 Laura Hartwig ‘Single Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was hand-harvested into bins from 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot vines with an average age of forty years old. Grapes were gently destemmed on arrival to the winery and passed through a selection table. The fruit was macerated on skins for three days then fermented at controlled temperature for three weeks. It matured 100% in French barrels, 3rd and 4th use, during 13 months, plus a component of first-use French staves. The 2018 vintage was particularly kind to cabernet sauvignon.
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Laura Hartwig ‘Single Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
DO Colchagua Valley, Chile $16.95 (13428) 13.4% alcohol
Savoury herbs, dark berry fruit and charred toast aromas waft easily from the glass and provide segue to a medium-full bodied stream of black currant and black cherry palate flavours accompanied by milk chocolate, tang and acidity. This is racy on the finish and aftertaste with tang-laden flavours of crunchy red fruit—Montmorency cherry, currants and passionfruit. There’s good tension and a medium length finish and aftertaste. Aerate/decant for a couple of hours and pour with a well-seasoned burger, just off the grill. (Vic Harradine)
• The following two wines are labelled Wakefield as the Taylor family were requested, due to copyright issues, to not to use the Taylor family name in most northern hemisphere countries by Taylor Fladgate in Portugal, the Port producers. The Taylor family of Australia are now 3rd generation family wine makers and involved for the past four decades. As a general rule of thumb, if it has Taylors Australia or Wakefield on the label you can be fairly confident it will be a well-made wine at a fair, or even better than fair price. The following 2018 Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ pinot noir was awarded a Double Gold and ‘Pinot of the Year’ at the China Wine and Spirits Award in 2020.
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Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ Pinot Noir 2018
Adelaide Hills, South Australia $19.95 (197392) 14.0% alcohol
Fascinating aromas of smoke, savoury herbs, tobacco and red cherry/berry fruit float easily from the glass. It envelops the palate with ripe red fruit—cherry, plum and strawberry galore—all nicely balanced with tangy passionfruit and mixed spice. This is medium-plus bodied with creamy-smooth mouthfeel and is balanced on a pin. There is full fruit flavour with an underpinning of soft, ripe tannin and lengthy, delicious finish and aftertaste. Drink now and over the next 7-8 years. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2018 Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon garnered a Platinum rating at the 2019 Sommelier Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition and Double Gold at the 2019 Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards. It also was awarded ten gold medals and a swag of Silver medals at wine competitions around the world. The Taylor family are also one of the founding members of the über-exclusive Australia’s First Families of Wine with just nine other iconic Australian wineries in the group.
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Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Clare Valley, South Australia $19.95 (744235) 14.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of dark cherry/berry fruit abound adorned with savoury herbs, espresso roast and wisps of minty notes. A rich, luscious surge of black currant and cassis blankets the palate decorated with dark bittersweet chocolate and vanilla and wisps of savoury herbs. It’s medium-full bodied, balanced and bountiful with persistent purity of fruit from entry to finish and aftertaste. Pour now or over the next eight years with grilled rack of lamb that was rubbed in rosemary. The price-quality balance is well in your favour. (Vic Harradine)