Wakefield Clare Valley Estate Chardonnay 2019 (Australia) - Wine Review

For tonight's wine review, I opened this delicious Australian Chardonnay that is a frequent visitor to the LCBO. This particular bottle is the 2019 vintage that arrives on our shores as part of the February 6, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Wakefield Wines are hand-crafted by three generations of the Taylor family at their estate in Clare Valley. In 1969, Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons, Bill and John, founded Wakefield Wines by the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley. Today, the third generation of the Taylors - Mitchell, Justin and Clinton - continue the family's long term goal to make wines that will stand the test of time and the next generation will be proud of.

The Taylors are committed to sustainability and acting responsibly for future generations. Their goal is to apply the best practices in environmental management to enhance sustainable business activities and products. They use innovative techniques to improve energy efficiency, water conservation, and packaging, while also minimizing waste and pollution. Through a holistic approach to environmental management, they also aim for biodiversity and sustainable land for the present and future.

I last enjoyed this wine when the previous vintage - the 2018 Wakefield Clare Valley Estate Chardonnay - came to LCBO VINTAGES last August. The 2019 vintage was a difficult one in South Australia due to the hot weather and drought. The heat and water stress led to an early and condensed vintage with reduced yields. However, careful canopy management and water irrigation helped reduce the effects. Due to the reduced yields, the fruit for this vintage comes from both Clare Valley and further south in Padthaway.

Back in August, I looked at the innovative and exclusive, touch-activated Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor that is found on the back label of many Wakefield Wines. Temperature is very important when enjoying a glass of wine and because every wine has its own ideal drinking temperature, the sensor is calibrated to each individual wine and changes colour depending on the temperature of the wine. When the colour of the sensor falls within the ideal range using the accompanying chart, the wine is ready to be enjoyed. Personally, I think it works well, however, I tend to enjoy my Chardonnays on the warmer side. How cold (or warm) do you prefer your Chardonnay?

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD CLARE VALLEY ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2019 - Clare Valley & Padthaway, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95
With fruit from both Clare Valley & Padthaway, the majority of the fruit was fermented in used French oak barrels. Screw cap. The medium+ intensity nose is ripe with apple, pear, tropical fruit, and vanilla aromas along with subtle peach and butterscotch notes. The medium+ bodied palate is also very ripe with delicious pear, apple, tropical fruit, vanilla and butterscotch. Acids are fresh and nicely balanced, while some leesy notes arrive on the ripe apple, pear, and vanilla flavoured finish, with very good length. Reliably delicious year after year. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious Wakefield Wines are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.