Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 and 2019 (Australia) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's red wine reviews consist of a mini-vertical of Cabernet Sauvignon wines by Wakefield Wines. I first enjoyed the 2018 Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon last June and am curious to see how it compare it now with the 2019 vintage that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the May 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Wakefield Wines was established by the Taylor family in 1969. Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons, Bill and John, decided to create a proper "old world" style of estate and settled in the Clare Valley by the Wakefield River. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz wines were their first wines and are the heart of their business. While the range has since expanded and not all of the fruit is grown on the estate, every bottle is still crafted at their Clare Valley Estate with the same care and attention as the very first vintage.

Today, Wakefield Wines is run by the third generation of the Taylor family - Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton Taylor, three sons of Bill Taylor Jr. Although less involved with day-to-day operations of the family business, Bill Taylor Jr. is still very much a driving force behind the vision of the company. The Taylor family is committed to ensuring that they operate in a responsible and sustainable manner on both the land and sea.

Wakefield has a strong connection to the sea - while excavating the winery site in Clare Valley to secure a water source, Bill Taylor Sr. discovered tiny seahorses in the limestone bedrock and served as a reminder that these soils were under water more 600 million years ago. The seahorse is now a symbol of the family's wine brand with three seahorses representing the three generations of Taylor family winemakers. The seahorse is also their symbol of sustainability as they support two initiatives to protect seahorses and secure thriving populations.

On the innovative front, all Estate Label wines feature an Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor on the back label that will tell you when each wine is ready to enjoy. Each sensor is calibrated to each varietal and wine, and it touch-activated. To use the sensor, simply touch it and compare the colour to the chart located on the left. If the colour of the sensor falls between the optimum temperature indicated in the chart, then the wine is ready to drink.

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95 Sold out
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers a lovely mix of cassis, dark currant, and savoury earth undertones accented with minty herbs, milk chocolate, and wood spices. On the medium-full bodied palate it has smooth, refined, supple tannins and fresh, juicy acidity that lifts the currant, cassis, milk chocolate, savoury earth, and minty herb flavour replays. A bit softer and smoother than tasted last year, and finishing with savoury, earthy, and mocha notes, with very good length. Score: 88+ pts

WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Clare Valley/Limestone Coast, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95
Aged for up to 12 months in French oak barrels prior to blending and bottling. Enclosed by screw cap. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is fresh with a pleasing mix of minty herbs, cassis, dark currant, and black cherry aromas backed by savoury earthy undertones and subtle wood spice. The medium-full bodied palate is ripe with currant, cassis, earthy, and wood spice flavours in a slightly tangy profile. Ripe tannins are smooth and well-integrated with a subtle chalky textured mouthfeel, while the acids are fresh and juicy. Nicely balanced throughout with earthy notes lingering on the long finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

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