Vintages Release: March 21, 2020

93 
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

96 
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 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.”

95 
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)