Wakefield Estate Merlot 2024

Winery Background and History

Taylors Wines (Wakefield) is a family-owned South Australian winery founded in 1969 in the Clare Valley. Over decades, the Taylor family has built vineyards, refined winemaking, and developed a reputation for expressive, well-crafted wines across varietals. The “Estate Label” range represents wines made from the estate’s core parcels, combining regional fruit and winemaking technique to deliver consistency and quality under the Wakefield/Taylors identity.

Producer and Wine Maker

The producer is Taylors / Wakefield Wines. Their winemaking team oversees the selection of parcels, harvesting schedules, fermentation regimes, blending decisions, and oak maturation (where applied). The aim is to balance fruit purity, varietal character, and structure, while preserving a sense of place (Clare Valley).

Vineyards and Micro Climate

Fruit is sourced from Clare Valley, a region known for its warm daytime heat and cool nights (diurnal variation), which helps preserve acidity and aromatic uplift in red wines. The soils are typically well drained, with loam over limestone in places, promoting moderate vigor and concentration. In 2024, the fruit was harvested under conditions that allowed ripening yet retained freshness.

Vinification & Aging Methods

Grapes are harvested, destemmed and fermented under temperature control. Oak maturation is applied to support structure and complexity; French and American oak is commonly used in the Estate Merlot style. Duration of barrel maturation is moderate to allow oak integration without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

On the nose: ripe red and black cherry, plum, hints of dark berry compote, with undertones of mocha, vanilla, and subtle oak spice. On the palate: medium-to-full body, lush fruit, velvety tannins, smooth mid-palate, and a lingering finish showing dark fruit and gentle spice. The structure is balanced and approachable.

Food & Wine Pairing

Pairs well with grilled or roasted meats (beef, lamb), stews, beef brisket, and barbecued dishes. Also good with earthy mushroom dishes, aged cheeses (e.g. Gouda, Comté), and tomato-based sauces.

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve at 16-18 °C. Use a large red wine glass (Bordeaux / Merlot style). Decant for 20–30 minutes may help open the aromatics and soften tannins. Once opened, best consumed over 1–2 days.

Storage and Aging Potential

Best consumed within 5–8 years of vintage under good cellar conditions (12–14 °C, stable humidity, away from light). Over time tertiary notes of leather or dried herbs may develop, while fruit will integrate further with oak.

Grape Varietals & percentage used

100 % Merlot

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

~ 14.0–14.5 % (Typical range for this label) 

Scores

— No widely published critic scores found for 2024 yet

— Previous vintages of Estate Merlot have been rated around 89 / 100 by critics