Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2022 (Australia) - Wine Review (May 2025)

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious, premium Australian Shiraz. It is a relatively frequent visitor to the LCBO, with a new batch of this 2022 vintage arriving most recently in the May 10th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Wakefield Wines was established in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons. Known locally in their homelands of Australia as Taylors Wines, the family's goal was to establish an estate winery, and eventually settled on a site by the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley.

As a founding member of Australia's First Families of Wine, Wakefield continues to be led by the third generation of the Taylor family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton, the sons of Bill Taylor and grandchildren of Bill Taylor Sr. Together, the brothers continue their family tradition of crafting delicious wines that stand the test of time, while also firmly fixed upon the future and the next generation. The family's philosophy is to craft wines sustainably and responsibly, while respecting the fruit and where it comes from. The goal at Wakefield is to be Australia's best wine company at applying best practices and principles in environmental management to enhance sustainable business activities and products. They favour the most innovative techniques to improve energy efficiency, water conservation, and packaging, while also preventing or eliminating waste and pollution.

This Shiraz is from the Taylor family's Jaraman range of wines, which celebrates Australia's iconic wine regions and provides great diversity. With the Jaraman range, the Taylor family searches for parcels of extraordinary fruit to craft wines that showcase their distinctive regional characteristics and style. Each vintage, the fruit for wines in the Jaraman range are sourced from celebrated Australian wine regions that are renowned for the particular variety. There are several wines in the Jaraman range - Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay - in addition to this Shiraz. At the winery, the winemakers ensure that the distinct regional characteristics of each grape are preserved and enhanced, with the fruit as the star and any winemaking influencing the supporting act. With the Jaraman range, the wines showcase the skill and dedication of their winemakers and their philosophy of respecting the fruit.

The 2022 vintage of this Shiraz is crafted with fruit from both Clare Valley (72%) and McLaren Vale (28%), in South Australia. It was vinified using traditional methods, with parcels from the two regions kept separate until blending, prior to oak ageing. The wine was matured for an average of 12 to 15 months in a selection of new and used American oak hogsheads before being bottled.

In Clare Valley, the 2022 growing season was a year of both high quality and quantity as the crops basked in the mild, sunny days without any rain or humidity. With stunningly beautiful and uninterrupted weather in the Clare Valley, the grapes blossomed under idyllic conditions. In McLaren Vale, the growing season featured mild conditions of warm days and cool nights, with minimal rain and no heat spikes. However, inconsistent fruit set in McLaren Vale reduced yields by about 15%. The story of the vintage between these two renowned wine regions helps explain the final blend.

I last enjoyed this 2022 Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz back in December and am curious to see how it has evolved over the last 6 months...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2022 - Clare Valley / McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap enclosure. The medium-high intensity nose is fresh and open with lovely dark fruit, blackberry, peppery spice, and cool minty herb aromas balanced with savoury oak, earth, plum, and a touch of woodspice. The ripe, medium+ bodied palate is dry with blackberry, dark berry, and savoury oak flavours alongside minty herbs, wood spice, plum, and black pepper notes. It has fresh and juicy acidity, alongside smooth and refined tannins, with good structure. Blackberry, plum, savoury oak, chocolate, black pepper, mocha chocolate, and earth notes linger on the crisp, long-lasting finish. This recommended buy should drink nicely over the next 5-7 years. Score: 89 pts

A wide selection of Wakefield Wines are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered from their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Wakefield Estate Label Wines - Degrees Matter

Last month I had the pleasure of attending a media event titled "The Temperature Experience". I had the opportunity to Chill Out with Justin Taylor, a third generation family member of renowned and well-respected Wakefield Wines (also known as Taylors Wines in their home country of Australia). The purpose of this event was to taste Wakefield's latest Estate Series of wines that are now available in Ontario, and, more importantly, to stimulate our senses and find out why degrees matter.

Wakefield Wines was established in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. in South Australia's Clare Valley. Bill found a perfect plot of land by the Wakefield River to establish the family estate and planted his first Cabernet Sauvignon vines that would eventually find its way into the family's first wine in 1973 - the Estate Label Cabernet Sauvignon. During the excavation of the land to find a water source for the vines, they discovered tiny seahorses in the limestone bedrock that date back more than 600 million years - seahorses that became the winery's symbol and emblem for over 50 years.

Today, Wakefield Wines is led by the third generation of the family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton. Their focus is on continuing the family tradition by crafting delicious wines that not only stand the test of time, but are also crafted in a sustainable and responsible manner that respects the fruit and where it comes from.

With a strong innovative spirit, the Taylor family launched an industry-first on-the-bottle temperature sensor in 2016 that helps ensure that wine drinkers enjoy Wakefield wines at the optimum temperature. I covered the Optimum Drinking Temperature Sensor a few years ago when the wines with these innovative labels first made their way into Canada in 2020.

At this event, we had the opportunity to taste four Estate Label wines that are available in Ontario and compare the difference when experiencing the wine that was served either too warm or too cold and the optimum temperature. First up was a refreshing Chardonnay. However, the aromas and flavours were a bit muted when served too cold. There was much more intensity, depth, flavours, and texture when the Chardonnay was served at the ideal suggested temperature of 10–12°C.

The Sauvignon Blanc was terribly imbalanced and dull when served too warm. The suggested temperature for the Wakefield Sauvignon Blanc is 6–8°C, and at this cooler temperature the wine comes alive with refreshing acidity and bright fruit flavours. It is important to note that the wine shouldn't be served too cold either, because this will mute the wine and you won't get to experience all that it offers.

Both red wines were absolutely gross when served too warm. To illustrate this, the warm wines were poured out of a thermos and one sip had me spit and dump the wine into a spittoon. The suggested temperature for each of their reds is between 16–18°C and each wine was lovely at this temperature, showcasing both the fruit and oak in their aromas and flavours, along with a fine texture, with everything in balance.

The key takeaway is that temperature plays a very important role in how you experience a wine and how it impacts your enjoyment. Serving wine at the correct temperature enhances aromas and flavours, affects the wine's structure, alters perception of sweetness & alcohol, and preserves the wine's integrity. The suggested serving temperature for white wines is between 6–12°C, and I would personally lean a little warmer for richer white wines such as Chardonnay. For red wines, the suggested serving temperature is between 12–18°C. The old adage of serving red wines at "room temp" is from a bygone era when central heating didn't exist and rooms were generally cold. There are various methods you can use to cool down (ice bath, freezer, refrigerator, etc...) or warm up your wine (rest at room temperature, hold glass in your hands, etc...). Personally, all my wines are placed in the refrigerator, at the back of the top shelf for cooling, with the white wines resting there for 50 to 60 minutes prior to opening, and the red wines for 45 minutes.

All Estate Label wines, including the four listed below, have the innovative temperature sensor on the back label. The Chardonnay and the Shiraz are available year-round at the LCBO as they are VINTAGES Essentials products, while the Sauvignon Blanc (which hasn't been in Ontario in many years) and Cabernet Sauvignon arrived in Ontario a week ago in the April 12th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. All four are worthy buys, and with a convenient temperature sensor on the back label, you can actively taste the difference that temperature makes!

To use the sensor, simply wipe away any moisture from the circular Temperature Sensor to reveal its true colour, then match its colour to the chart on the left to see if you are serving the wine at the correct temperature.

Tasting Notes:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Adelaide Hills / Margaret River, Australia (#166942) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. Fresh, medium-high intensity nose offers a lovely mix of gooseberry, lime citrus, grapefruit, lemongrass, and green herb aromas with leesy undertones. It's medium-full bodied with good weight, concentration, and richness, along with delicious ripe lime citrus, gooseberry, and grapefruit, herbs, and leesy flavours on the palate. Mostly dry with a vague impression of sweetness and a richly textured mouthfeel. Acids are clean and well-balanced. Lime citrus, gooseberry, and grapefruit notes taper to leesy flavours on the long, crisp, and juicy finish. Best enjoyed at the temperature suggested on the back label. Score: 89 pts

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2022 - Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95 $15.95 until Apr. 27
Served at 8C, this has fresh, citrusy, lemon, and ripe tropical fruit nose. It's nicely textured and a touch grippy on the medium+ bodied and dry palate with delicious aroma replays on the flavour profile It has fresh and lively acidity, and is nicely balanced throughout. Very good length on the crisp finish. At the ideal temperature of between 10-12C, it allowed the wine to breathe and release more complex aromas and flavours, while also offering a more richer, rounder, and creamier mouthfeel. It was definitely much better at the slightly warmer temperatures and continued to improve as it warmed up in my glass. Score: 89 pts

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SHIRAZ 2022 - Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, South Australia (#943787) (XD) - $19.95 $17.95 until Apr. 27

Generously intense with ripe plum, black cherry, blackberry aromas nuanced with some savoury cocoa, milk chocolate, and vanilla notes. The salty, medium-full bodied palate is well-structured with delicious aroma replays and notable spicy, cocoa chocolate, blackberry, and black plum flavours. It has very good, crisp acidity and supple, well-structured tannins. Nicely textured with earthy, cocoa, and savoury notes on the finish, with very good length. Score: 88+ pts

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Limestone Coast / Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95
52% Limestone Coast and 48% Clare Valley fruit and enclosed by screw cap. The rich, medium-high intensity nose offers lovely dark fruited, black currant, cassis, cedar oak spice, cocoa, and earthy aromas accented with leafy herbs and mint. It's full-bodied and ripe on the dry palate with black & red fruits, currant, cassis, gentle oak spice, and savoury earth flavours accented with plummy and minty herb notes. Acids are crisp and fresh, while the ripe, refined, and mildly grippy tannins are well-structured. Clean and well-balanced with savoury black fruit and cocoa notes lingering on the lengthy finish. Score: 89 pts

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Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2022 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of an always terrific Australian Shiraz that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent November 30th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Wakefield Wines, which is known as Taylors Wines in Australia. This family estate winery was established near the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons. The Taylor family worked as wine merchants, but desired to have their own vineyards and create their own, authentic, and estate-grown wines. By 1969, they settled on a site near the Wakefield River and established Taylors Wines.

Today, Wakefield Wines is led by brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton, the third-generation of the Taylor family, the sons of Bill Taylor and grandchildren of Bill Taylor Sr. The brothers continue their family's tradition of crafting delicious wines that stand the test of time, while also firmly fixed upon the future and the next generation. The family's philosophy is to craft wines sustainably and responsibly, while respecting the fruit and where it comes from. Their goal is to be Australia's best wine company at applying best practiced principles in environmental management to enhance sustainable business activities and products. They also favour the most innovative techniques to improve energy efficiency, water conservation, and packaging, while also preventing or eliminating waste and pollution. Through a holistic approach to environmental management, they aim to achieve sustainable land and biodiversity management outcomes for both the present and future. Taylors Wine is also a founding member of Australia's First Families of Wine, which was formed in 2009.

Wakefield Wines has several ranges of wines in their portfolio, with this wine coming from their premium Jaraman range, which celebrates Australia's iconic wine regions which provide great diversity. With the Jaraman range, the Taylor family searches for parcels of extraordinary fruit which they can use to showcase the distinctive regional characters and style for each grape variety. The fruit for Jaraman wines is sourced from celebrated wine regions in Australia that are renowned for producing particular varieties. At the winery, the winemaker at Wakefield ensures that the distinct regional characteristics of each variety are preserved and enhanced, while also making sure that the fruit is the star of the wine, and any winemaking influence only plays a supporting role. Respecting the fruit is a core value at Wakefield Wines, and the Jaraman range showcases the skill and dedication to this core value.

While the previous vintage of this wine - the 2021 Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz - was nearly equal parts of fruit from Clare Valley and McLaren Vale, this latest vintage is 100% Shiraz with 72% Clare Valley fruit and 28% McLaren Vale fruit. Traditional vinification methods were used to craft this red wine, with parcels from the two regions kept separate until blending prior to oak ageing. The wine was matured for an average of 12 to 15 months in a selection of new and used American oak hogsheads and then bottled.

The 2022 vintage in Clare Valley was a year of both high quality and quantity as the crops basked in the mild, sunny days without any rain or humidity. The stunningly beautiful weather provided uninterrupted and idyllic conditions that were more typical of the better vintages during the 80s and 90s. In McLaren Vale, it was a slightly different story as inconsistent fruit set reduced yields by about 15%, which likely explains the reduction of McLaren Vale fruit in this cuvée. The growing season featured mild conditions of warm days and cool nights, with minimal rain and no heat spikes. The end result produced some of the best McLaren Vale reds in years with vibrant wines having supple tannins and bright, natural acidity. From a mostly cool and very good vintage, let's see how this 2022 Shiraz from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2022 - Clare Valley / McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95 $21.70
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose has plummy dark fruit, mulberry, blackberry, and black cherry aromas alongside savoury oak, chocolate, clove, and subtle Asian spice notes. The medium+ bodied palate is dry with delicious mulberry, brambly, plum, blackberry, sweet spice, clove, and chocolatey oak flavours in a slightly jammy profile. It is quite firmly structured on the palate, with smooth, ripe tannins. Gently tangy acids are crisp, juicy, and succulent, while the chocolatey oak, plum, and earthy notes linger on the long, well-structured finish. Recommended buy to enjoy into the early 2030s. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely Wakefield Wines can be purchased at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Escapade Shiraz 2021 (Barossa) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, vegan-friendly Australian Shiraz. It is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO that landed on shelves (and online) in Ontario as part of last month's September 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Escapade Vineyards wines are produced by Shanahans Wines, a family-owned and operated winery situated in the hamlet of Greenock, on the outskirts of northwestern Barossa, that has grown from humble beginnings to a significant operation.

The name 'Shanahans Wines' is a tribute to John Harris' family, in particular to his late grandfather, James (Jim) Shanahan. It was Jim who established a broadacre farm in the early 1900s at Magdala, South Australia, while John spent much of his childhood years by his grandfather's side, helping and exploring this beloved property.

On the property is an old shearing shed, where John recalls his fondest memories spending time with the shearers and seasonal workers. It was also in this shed where John turned one tonne of fruit that had been gifted to him into the first 60 cases of Shanahans Wines, which he shared with friends and family. The enjoyment of hand-crafting such a small parcel of premium Barossa fruit and having a label to honour his family started a tradition.

Today, Shanahans Wines is led by John and his wife, Gemma, along with their three boys that they are bringing up together among their vines. John has worked in the wine industry for more than two decades, working his way up from cellar hand to winemaker to owning his own wine company. He has love for his iconic family farm in the Barossa Valley with strong ancestral ties to the region and its people. Gemma is a seventh generation Barossan who comes from a long line of vignerons. She grew up in the small village of Krondorf and spent her childhood years in the vineyards exploring and helping her late father tend to 30 acres of vines.

Together, the Harris family hand crafts their wines with care each vintage, using small parcels of premium fruit that are sourced predominantly from the Western Barossa sub-regions of Greenock and Marananga, as well as parcels from selected growers in Eden Valley, Ebenezer, and Tanunda. In order to represent the true character of the individual vineyards and varieties, much of the fruit is hand-picked from old vineyards and fermented in small batches on skins to retain as much fleshy fruit as possible. Mostly older French oak is used for maturation, ensuring that the fruit is the main feature of each wine.

This red wine is crafted using 100% Shiraz that was sourced from a selection of growers that John has worked with for several years in the Barossa Valley hamlets of Greenock, Tanunda, Ebenezer, and Bethany. The individual vineyards were picked and crushed separately. Each vineyard provides different characteristics, and when coming together by assemblage, becomes more than the sum of its parts. It underwent fermentation in small, 4-tonne open fermenters, with pumping twice a day for one week before draining and being slowly basket-pressed. After fermentation, the wine was aged in 2- to 4-year-old French oak.

From a near-perfect vintage that resulted in both high quality and quantity, let's see how this 2021 Shiraz from Barossa Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ESCAPADE SHIRAZ 2021 - Vegan, Barossa Valley, South Australia (#36286) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. The open, fragrant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose has lovely ripe black and red raspberry, blackberry, and black pepper spice aromas layered over savoury earth, oak spice, and touches of meaty and dried herb notes. It's medium+ to medium-full bodied on the dry palate with delicious ripe raspberry, blackberry, black pepper, and dried herb flavours with just a touch of jamminess. It has fresh, juicy acidity, while the ripe, supple, and fine-grained tannins provide a nice, textured mouthfeel and are integrating nicely. It's well-balanced with blackberry, raspberry, and peppery notes tapering to a long, savoury, mineral-tinged finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely Shanahans Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Lexcellent Wines.

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Grand Vin de Glenelly Red 2009 (South Africa) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2020 Glenelly Glass Collection Cabernet Sauvignon on Friday night to start the long weekend, I am ending the Civic Holiday long weekend with a beautiful Shiraz-Cabernet blend from the same producer for tonight's wine review. I purchased this red wine from an LCBO VINTAGES Release in November 2015 and thought it would be appropriate to open this wine tonight, considering that my notes initial notes suggested that I should have opened it by 2021, and also because I met Nicolas Bureau, the grandson of Glenelly's founder, May de Lencquesaing, at the recent PIWOSA tasting and he suggested that I should probably open this bottle soon.

While no longer produced, this red wine used to be Glenelly Estate's signature red blend. Composed of 42% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, all the grapes were picked and sorted by hand, and then lightly crushed into stainless steel tanks. It underwent a natural fermentation and remained in contact with its skin for two to three weeks post-fermentation. The wine was then gently pressed and run into equally new, second fill, and third fill French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging in barrels for 18 months.

This red wine hails from the legendary 2009 vintage that was excellent across the board and considered one of South Africa's best vintages. Let's see how this 2009 Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blend from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

GRAND VIN DE GLENELLY RED 2009 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#360339) (D) - $19.95
This blend of 42% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot pours a deep tawny colour. Earthy, cigar box, and mushroomy with perfumed sandalwood, stewed plum, dark berry, and black cherry aromas rising out of the glass with medium+ to medium-high intensity. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has very good structure with a lovely savoury flavour profile of wet earth, sandalwood, cigar box, and oak spice flavours, plus some stewed and fresh blackberry, black cherry, plum notes adding complexity and interest. Acids are still quite fresh and juicy, while the well-structured, fine-grained tannins are integrating nicely. Somewhat chalky textured on the mid-palate, while the finish is long, savoury, and earthy. Still quite well-balanced, with the alcohol just starting to peak through, while the fruit has not shifted into the dried spectrum yet. Could be aged another year or two. Great buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Glenelly Estate can be purchased at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Seppeltsfield EC405 Barossa Shiraz/Mataro 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent blend of Shiraz and Mataro from the Barossa Valley in Australia. It arrived as a brand-new wine at the LCBO last month in the March 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive, with many bottles now available both in-store and online.

It is produced by Seppeltsfield Wines, an iconic winery located on the Western Ridge of the Barossa Valley. With a rich history, Seppeltsfield combines over 420 acres of ancient vineyards, gardens, and heritage-listed architecture to handcraft quality wines and unique offerings. The Seppeltsfield estate is surrounded by a small settlement, also named Seppeltsfield, and is among the most western townships in the Barossa Valley. The picturesque region is a patchwork of vineyards on gently rolling hills, contrasted by open fields of cereal crops. The estate is a landmark of South Australia where travellers of all origins were warmly welcomed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries due to the generous hospitality of the Seppelt family. Today, Seppeltsfield proudly continues the Seppelt family vision of the "village", ensuring that the history, heritage, and provenance of this remarkable estate is shared with many.

Seppeltsfield was established in the Barossa Valley by Joseph and Johanna Seppelt, just 15 years after the European settlement of South Australia. In 1851, Joseph Seppelt, an emigrant from Silesia, purchased 158 acres of land with the original intention of farming tobacco, with later generations of the Seppelt family concentrating their efforts on grape growing and winemaking. Seppeltsfield flourished into the 20th century, along with the Seppelt family's expanding interest in the liquor industry. The Seppelt family is regarded as one of Australia's most successful wine dynasties as it remained within the family until 1985.

In 2007, Seppeltsfield returned to private ownership, and is now under the custodianship of proprietor Warren Randall. Mr. Randall is a qualified viticulturist and winemaker who had previously worked for the Seppelt family in the 1980s, and is supported by proud investors. The estate is viewed by Warren as a custodianship of the Seppelt family legacy. In 2010, the 1888 Gravity Cellar was recommissioned and has revitalized the estate's prowess with still wines as all super premium red Barossa varietals are once again passing though the Gravity Cellar. Originally completed in 1888, the visionary design of the Gravity Cellar was borne out of engineering logic by Oscar Benno Seppelt, son of Joseph and Johanna. The Gravity Cellar uses a gravity-fed, minimal handling approach to winemaking, which is now a coveted modern-day winemaking principle, and results in wines with heightened aromatics and purity of fruit, aided by the gentle extraction of colour, flavour, and tannin. As part of Randall Wine Group, Seppeltsfield is also committed and compliant with Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standard of Sustainable Practice – Winery Standard and the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia programs.

This red wine is a handcrafted blend of Shiraz (aka Syrah) and Mataro (aka Mourvèdre or Monastrell), a wine that celebrates the winemaking art of assemblage (bench blending) to achieve a final blended wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. The "EC" (East Cellar) part of the name of this wine goes back to the earliest red varietal blends that were first released by Seppeltsfield's founding family in the 1960s. While the composition of each wine varied with each vintage, the East Cellar code was a unique reference to where the wines were rested and matured in oak barrels prior to release.

The EC405 borrows the legacy of earlier EC bottlings, and brings together the traditional blend of Shiraz and Mataro. This 2020 vintage of the EC405 is a blend of 66% Shiraz and 34% Mataro. The Shiraz is made up of a parcel grown on Seppeltsfield's "V-Block" Vineyard in the western part of the valley and a parcel grown on Seppeltsfield's "Chooks Block" in the southern part of the valley, while the Mataro was sourced from a grower vineyard on the western ridge. The grapes used to craft the EC405 were fermented at their 1888 Gravity Cellar, which is built into the hillside on a series of terraces. Gravity guides the flow of the fruit through the winery, delivering gentle extraction of colour, flavour, and tannins. Each vineyard parcel was kept separate throughout the entire process, including maturation in seasoned French oak hogsheads. Bench blend trials were then conducted by the Seppeltsfield winemaking team, prior to assemblage and bottling.

While the 2020 growing season proved to be yet another challenging vintage, which led to reduced yields, and in turn, reducing supply, the quality of what was produced is high. Let's see how this 2020 Barossa Shiraz/Mataro is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SEPPELTSFIELD EC405 BAROSSA SHIRAZ/MATARO 2020 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#33561) (XD) - $33.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 66% Shiraz and 34% Mataro has an elegant, fragrant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose of ripe, sweet black and purple fruits, blackberry, black cherry, and potpourri aromas with accents of savoury earth, iron, and minty herbs. It's medium-full to full-bodied with well-structured, rustic tannins and black-purple fruited and savoury flavours of blackberry, black cherry, sweet cassis, peppery spice, and graphite with persistent savoury mineral and cocoa characters. Acids are crisp and juicy. Some spice notes on the mid-palate taper to savoury graphite and mineral flavours on the long, grippy finish, with excellent length. Enjoy now to 2040. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Small quantities of other Seppeltsfield Wines are available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2021 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review, and my first wine of 2024, is this lovely, premium Australian Shiraz that returned to the LCBO last month in the December 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the renowned and well-respected Wakefield Wines, also known as Taylors Wines in their home market in Australia. The estate winery was established in 1969 by the Wakefield River in Clare Valley, South Australia, by Bill Taylor Sr., a wine merchant who was inspired by Bordeaux wine producers and had a vision of crafting his own family estate wines that rival the best in the world.

Today, the family-owned estate is led by the third generation of the Taylor family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton - as they carry on their grandfather's tradition of staying true to their core values of quality, authenticity, and craftsmanship. The Taylor family continues its dedication to crafting wines of exceptional quality by using innovative winemaking techniques, while also implementing sustainable viticultural practices. As stewards of the land, the Taylor family is committed to sustainability in both rural and urban settings, as well as on land and in the sea. Their love for winemaking, keen eye for detail, and commitment to excellence have made Wakefield Wines a renowned producer of some of Australia's top wines.

Wakefield Wines has several ranges of wines, and this particular red wine is from their Jaraman range, which consists of this wine, two other reds, and a Chardonnay. As Australia's iconic wine regions provide great diversity, with the Jaraman range, the Taylor family seeks out parcels of extraordinary fruit to craft wines that showcase their distinctive regional characteristics and style. The grapes for Jaraman wines are sourced from celebrated Australian wine regions that are renowned for their particular variety. At the winery, the winemakers ensure that the distinct regional characteristics are preserved and enhanced, with the fruit playing the leading role in the wine, while any winemaking influence plays only a supporting role. Jaraman wines showcase the skill and dedication of the winemakers towards their philosophy of respecting the fruit.

Like the 2020 Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz that I enjoyed a couple of summers ago, this red wine from Australia is crafted with 100% Shiraz from fruit grown in both Clare Valley (54%) and McLaren Vale (46%), a blend that has been more or less the same for several vintages now. The individual parcels were kept separate during the vinification process and after fermentation, the wines were matured for an average of 12 months in used coopers’ American oak hogsheads, with 30% in 1-year-old casks and the rest in 2-3 year-old casks. The different parcels were then blended and bottled.

Idyllic growing conditions that were slightly warmer than average were prevalent throughout most of Australia during 2021. The season was markedly calm, with a near perfect ratio between warm, sunny days and intermittent rain. In the Clare Valley, the grapes produced wines of excellent quality and high acidity, while McLaren Vale had healthy yields that were bolstered by rainfall in early February. A mild Autumn in McLaren Vale kept sugar levels at bay and helped produce grapes with strong varietal definition, concentrated aromas, and deep colour and tannins. Overall, it is a vintage rated as good-to-excellent and produced fantastic wines from South Australia.

After enjoying a different bottling of the 2021 Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz last summer, let's see how this 2021 Australian Shiraz is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2021 - Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. The fragrant and open, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose delivers rich, dark fruited, jammy blackberry, minty herb, and wood spice aromas layered over dark currant, and dark plum. It's medium+ bodied on the dry, dark, and sweet fruited palate with jammy blackberry, cedary oak, minty herb, dark currant, black pepper, black cherry, and dark plum flavours which are supported by fresh, well-balanced acidity. Ripe tannins are smooth and refined, with good structure and a mild grip. Smoky mineral notes linger on the long, savoury finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely Wakefield Wines can be purchased at the LCBO or through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre 2019 (McLaren Vale) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious GSM blend from McLaren Vale in Australia that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the recent August 19th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by d'Arenberg, a well-known and highly regarded winery situated in McLaren Vale, South Australia. It was established in 1912 by Joseph Osborn when he planted his first eight acres of Shiraz vines on the property. The same year, Joseph was joined by his third child, Frank Osborn, who left university to take up life on the land. Joseph also sold his stable of prize winning horses to purchase the d'Arenberg property, which was originally named Bundarra.

In 1913, Frank Osborn harvested his first vintage at the Bundarra property in McLaren Vale, with grape prices reaching an unheard of price of £20 per tonne. After several years serving in the army, Frank married Helena d'Arenberg in 1920. A year later, Jane Antoinette (Toni) Osborn was born, followed by the birth of Rowen Frederick Osborn in 1924. In 1926, Helena Osborn died after giving birth to their third child, Francis d'Arenberg Osborn, who was also always known as d'Arry.

After encouragement from Sam Tolley, Frank's brother-in-law and wine industry mentor, in 1927 Frank decided to build a winery and produce his own wine. Frank spent some time learning about winemaking, while Sam was largely responsible for building the winery. In 1928, Frank Osborn produced his first wines, which were labelled "Bundarra Vineyards by F. E. Osborn & Sons". Production ceased in 1942 due to Frank's health, but resumed when d'Arry Osborn left school at the age of 16 to join the family business in 1943 and work at the winery full-time.

Modernization began during this period when the first tractor with rubber tires was purchased in 1946, followed by electricity and the electrification of the production area in 1951. In 1959, d'Arry Osborn launched his own wine label with a distinctive red stripe, while also designing the family crest that has the Latin words "Vinum vita est", which translates to "Wine is Life", and the fertility symbol in the top right corner of the crest, and grapes in the opposite corner.

On a day that was hailed as a good start to the financial year, Chester d'Arenberg Osborn was born on July 1, 1962. In 1963, they purchased their first hydraulic basket press and a year later they built their first tasting room. To this day, traditional winemaking methods are still used, with all of the wines basket pressed and all the red wine ferments foot trodden. In 1965, d'Arry received a letter from another well-established winery who had applied for trademark protection for the name "Bundarra", and by mutual agreement, d'Arry agreed to let the name go and stop using the Bundarra name.

The name change didn't hinder progress or success, as d'Arenberg had to build another tasting room to accommodate the ever increasing number of visitors. In 1971, they installed their own bottling line. Starting in the late 1960s, d'Arenberg was awarded many trophies and awards for their wines.

d'Arenberg's success continued when Chester Osborn, the fourth generation of the family, took over as Chief Winemaker, focusing his efforts on producing high quality and distinctive wines, while also reducing yields in the vineyards by eliminating fertilization and minimizing irrigation. d'Arenberg is also focused on natural and environmentally-friendly philosophies which encourage strong root systems that penetrate the soil, which in turn results in lively tannin structures, soil characters, and fine minerality. Moreover, all d'Arenberg estate owned and leased vineyards are NASAA Certified for organic and biodynamic processes. d'Arenberg is also a founding member of Australia's First Families of Wine.

This particular red wine is from d'Arenberg's "The Stump Jump" range of wines. The name comes from a rumour that the inventor of the Stump Jump plough, which enabled a ploughshare to jump over tree roots, had poor eyesight and required regular eye tests to ensure he could still operate machinery safely. The label design of The Stump Jump range is inspired by an optometrist's eye chart and serves as a
makeshift sobriety test - if you can hold the bottle at arm's length and still read the front label, you can enjoy another glass. There are half a dozen wines in the range, and this particular wine is a blend is approximately equal parts Grenache and Shiraz, with Mourvèdre completing the blend. The grapes used to craft this blend were mostly from very old bush vines that underwent gentle crushing and were fermented in traditional, open tank fermenters, followed by basket pressing and maturation in oak prior to bottling.

During the 2019 growing season, winter was quite dry with sporadic light showers that didn't penetrate the soil very deeply. Although bud burst was impacted, it was managed with irrigation. During spring, a strong wind event at the time of flowering upset some of the growth, especially in Shiraz, while summer was hot with an extreme heat wave and a record high temperature of 46.6°C. Yields were down on most varieties. However, the quality was excellent, with the grapes exhibiting very typical varietal characteristics. From what is classified as a good vintage, let's see how this 2019 McLaren Vale GSM is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

D'ARENBERG THE STUMP JUMP GRENACHE / SHIRAZ / MOURVÈDRE 2019 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#173294) (XD) - $17.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this GSM blend has a fresh, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers lovely black pepper, spice, raspberry and blackberry aromas layered over earthy and meaty notes. It's full-ish bodied, dry, and sweetly fruited with ripe dark red berry, blackberry, black raspberry, black pepper, oak spice, earth, and meaty flavours which are supported by fresh, well-balanced acidity and smooth, firm, and somewhat grippy tannins that are youthful. Some minty herbal notes on the mid-palate. Savoury with cedary wood spice and earth notes linger on the finish, with very good length. A solid, highly recommended buy to enjoy over the next few years. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by d'Arenberg can be found at the LCBO (with some in very limited quantities), while the whole portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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Wakefield Jaraman Chardonnay 2021 and Shiraz 2021 (Australia) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of lovely, consistently well-made wines from Australia that are arriving together this weekend in the June 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and will be widely available across Ontario by this Saturday.

These wines are produced by Wakefield Wines, an Australian winery situated in the Clare Valley wine region in South Australia that is known for producing premium wines and gained a reputation for its commitment to quality and craftsmanship. It was established in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr., a renowned wine merchant who was inspired by the producers of Bordeaux and had a vision of crafting his own family estate wines that rival the best in world. The family found the perfect plot of land on July 20, 1969, by the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley and began their quest to establish a family estate. Just as Neil Armstrong took mankind's first steps on the moon on this day, Bill Taylor Sr. took his first steps on this land to create his family estate wines.

Today, Wakefield Wines is led by brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton, the third generation of the Taylor family. Together, they carry on their grandfather's tradition and staying true to their core values of authenticity and craftsmanship. The Taylor family continues its dedication to crafting wines of exceptional quality, while also implementing sustainable viticultural practices and embracing innovative winemaking techniques. The Taylor family has successfully continued Bill Taylor Sr.'s vision as representatives of Wakefield Wines and the Clare Valley. Their love for winemaking, keen eye for detail, and commitment to excellence have made Wakefield Wines a renowned producer of top Australian wines.

Both of these wines are from their Jaraman range where Wakefield searches for parcels of extraordinary fruit from celebrated Australian wine regions that are renowned for a particular variety to craft wines that showcase their distinctive regional characteristics and style. The winemakers ensure that the distinct regional characteristics are preserved and enhanced, with the fruit acting as the star and any winemaking influence the supporting act. With skill and dedication, the winemakers at Wakefield maintain their philosophy of respecting the fruit.

From a near-perfect vintage, let's see how this 2021 Chardonnay and Shiraz wines from Australia are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CHARDONNAY 2021 - Adelaide Hills/Clare Valley, South Australia (#18921) (XD) - $24.95
Crafted with Chardonnay from Adelaide Hills (61%) and Clare Valley (39%) fruit, the free-run juice was fermented in French oak (60% new and the rest in a combination of 2 and 3 year old) barrels. It was aged for 8 months in French oak before both regional parcels were blended and prepared for bottling and enclosed by screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose is rich and fragrant with lovely stone fruit, apple, lemon citrus, pear, and buttery aromas accented with flinty mineral and vanilla oak spice notes. It's medium-full to full-bodied on the rich palate with lovely, ripe, lightly honeyed flavours of apple, lemon citrus, pear, and vanilla oak spice. Clean and well-balanced with fresh, juicy acidity, it's also nicely textured and lightly spicy on the mid-palate. Flinty mineral and vanilla notes linger on the long, very satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2021 - Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95
This Shiraz is crafted with fruit from Clare Valley (54%) and McLaren Vale (46%) and matured for an average of 12 months in a mix of coopers' American oak hogsheads (30% 1 year old and 70% 2-3 year old) before being bottled by screw cap. Fragrant, perfumed, and highly aromatic, this has a lovely, spicy, dark fruited nose of ripe blackberry, dark currant, dark cherry, minty herb, and oak spice, with savoury undertones. On the ripe, medium-full bodied palate it is dry and spicy with blackberry, dark cherry, savoury wood spice, and pepper flavours backed by juicy, well-balanced acidity and smooth, supple, and gently grippy tannins. Dark fruited, spicy, peppery, and savoury earth notes linger on the long, balanced, and well-structured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Wakefield Wines can be found at the LCBO or through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Springs Road Shiraz 2017 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Shiraz from Kangaroo Island in Australia. It is a brand new wine to the LCBO, landing in Ontario over the weekend as part of the June 10th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Springs Road Wines is owned and operated by Joch Bosworth and Louise Hemsley-Smith, owners of Battle of Bosworth Wines in McLaren Vale. Joch and Louise acquired the vineyards after going on a mystery tour to Kangaroo Island at the end of the 2016 vintage and while in the eastern coastal town of Kingscote they came across a sales ad indicating that the vineyard was for sale. The vineyards were located inland, about 7 km west of Kingscote, and after visiting the site they recognized the potential of the vineyards and purchased the property.

Prior to the acquisition, the property was owned by well-known locals Roger and Kate Williams. It was initially a small sheep property, followed by the planting of vineyards in 1994. The property was originally owned by Kate's father, a strict Christian who didn't approve of alcohol. The old house that sits on the property was built by local Garry Johnson's grandparents and is now used to stores the nets they put on the vines to stop the crows from eating the grapes. Garry also came by to help do some trenching for the pathway leading up to cellar door.

The winery gets its name from the road called Springs that runs just off the property in an east-west direction across the northern part of Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The label that adorns the Springs Road wines is adapted from the French cartographer Louis Freycinet's 1808 map of southern Australia called "Carte Generale de la Terre Napoléon." Freycinet accompanied Nicholas Baudin on his voyage of discovery through the Southern Ocean between 1801 and 1803 and charted the coastline all the way from Wilson's Promontory in the East (Victoria) to the Nullabor National Park in the West, centring on the "Iles Decres", or Kangaroo Island. "Terre Napoleon" was the first detailed map of Australia. The extravagantly illustrated map included Australian flora, fauna, kangaroos, and seals, and some of these elements are included on the label of Springs Road wines.

I'll be honest, I didn't know anything about Kangaroo Island and its winegrowing activities. Kangaroo Island is Australia's third largest island and one of its youngest wine regions. It was officially registered as a Geographic Indication in the year 2000 and is one of five regions that make up the Fleurieu Zone. The island has built an international reputation for a pristine wilderness that is famed for the quality of its produce, as well as its natural beauty and wildlife. Kangaroo Island is a cool-climate wine region with regular maritime breezes playing an important role in moderating the ample sunshine, allowing for a long, cool ripening season, while the wines from Kangaroo Island are making an impact both domestically and abroad.

Crafted with 100% Shiraz, the grapes were grown in their vineyard from vines planted in 1994 and 2000. The soils are predominantly sandy loam soils over limestone and marl (clay) with some patches of Bay of Biscay soils (black cracking clays) interspersed with some ironstone. The soils are shallow and relatively low in fertility, while experiencing low annual average rainfall of 400 to 500 mm per year. The grapes were harvested and brought to the winery in Willunga (McLaren Vale), where they were crushed and fermented in open vessels. Fermentation was finished in barrel, followed by ageing for approximately 12 months in French oak barrels - 30% new and the rest one and two year old barrels.

The growing season on Kangaroo Island started with a very wet winter, followed by a very wet spring which made for a tricky flowering period and led to reduced yields. However, the grapes benefitted from a very late harvest - by four weeks - which led to a long, slow ripening process and helped develop maximum flavour. Let's see how this 2017 Shiraz from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SPRINGS ROAD SHIRAZ 2017 - Kangaroo Island, South Australia (#30753) (XD) - $32.95
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is spicy with a pleasing mix of ripe red, black, and blue fruit aromas, layered over savoury earth, meaty, and black pepper spice notes. Stony mineral aromas emerge with time in the glass. On the juicy, dry, medium-bodied, and well-structured palate the lovely red, black, and blue fruit flavour replays are joined by black pepper spice, stony mineral, savoury earth, and subtle wood spice flavours. It has crisp, juicy acidity and smooth, refined, and gently chewy tannins with a touch of grip. Crisp with stony mineral notes lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Complex and very well made, this highly recommended buy can be enjoyed over the next 5+ years. Score: 92 pts

Other lovely wines from Springs Road can be ordered through their Agent - Airen Imports.

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Torbreck Old Vines Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre 2018 (Barossa) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2017 Torbreck Old Vines Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre last August, tonight's red wine review is the next vintage of this lovely GSM blend from Australia that is coming to the LCBO this weekend as part of the July 16 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Founded in the Barossa Valley in 1994 by David Powell, Torbreck Vintners was named after a forest in Scotland where David worked as a lumberjack. After gaining his winemaking experience at various Barossa wineries, David was inspired to create his own label and began to share-farm vineyards in order to obtain fruit from some of the Barossa Valley's very best vineyards.

Torbreck Vintners is owned today by Proprietor Peter Kight with a continued focus on the classic Rhône (and Barossa) varieties - Shiraz (Syrah), Grenache and Mataró (Mourvèdre) - all three of which make up this red wine. Torbreck considers Barossa to be the most exciting place to make wine in the world with its gentle Mediterranean climate and 175 years of Silesian and English commitment to grape-growing and winemaking. Torbreck works with multi-generational winegrowers whose ancestors arrived here nearly two centuries ago and have great knowledge of the seasons and soils, while working the vineyards with minimal intervention and aiming to get the best out of each vineyard site.

Compared to the previous vintage, the 2018 edition of this wine contains a little bit less Grenache (59%) and Syrah (19%), and more Mourvèdre (22%). The grapes were hand harvested from vines as much as 100 years old from the red earth sub-regions of Marananga, Gomersal, and Ebenezer of the western Barossa Valley. It was fermented in a combination of open top cement and wooden vats, as well as stainless steel tanks, followed by aging in well-seasoned French oak hogsheads for 24 months. Each parcel of grapes was vinified separately until the final stage of blending and bottling.

The 2018 growing season started with above average winter rainfall, which led into below average spring and summer rainfall, producing small bunches and berries. In the Barossa it was reasonably hot and caused considerable heat stress to some vines. However, once temperatures eased off, the dry and mild conditions allowed the fruit to fully ripen slowly, with both Shiraz and Grenache showing some great potential. Overall, quality was particularly high amongst Torbreck's red varieties Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. Let's see how this 2018 GSM blend from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TORBRECK OLD VINES GRENACHE / SHIRAZ / MOURVÈDRE 2018 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#10223) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap enclosure. This blend of 59% Grenache, 22% Mourvèdre, and 19% Syrah has a lovely, fragrant, intense nose of ripe raspberry and black cherry with underlying savoury, meaty, and wet earth aromas, plus with some black pepper spice and dried herb adding further complexity. The medium-full bodied is also quite ripe with more raspberry, black cherry, meaty, wet earth, and black pepper spice flavours. Acids are fresh, juicy, and well-balanced. Lightly structured tannins are smooth and refined. Savoury with smoky mineral notes linger on the long, lightly chalky textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Torbreck are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Killibinbin The Shadow Shiraz/Cabernet 2016 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon blend that is new to the LCBO and arrived on shelves across Ontario last weekend as part of the June 18 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Launched in 2010, Killibinbin is one of a number of ranges wines produced by Brothers in Arms, a family-owned winery located in Langhorne Creek, South Australia. Although Brothers in Arms was established only in 1998, it's family history on the estate goes back to 1882 when William Formby bought the Metala Estate from an eccentric Prussian named Herman Daenke and became the first generation of the Metala story. Winegrowing entered the picture when William's second son, Arthur, took over management of the property with his brother Fred and planted his first vines on Metala in 1891 after being encouraged to do so by his brother-on-law Ronald Martin of Stonyfell fame. He planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon and some of these vines are still producing premium fruit today. In 1910, Arthur handed over all winemaking tasks to Ronald and continued to make wine on the property until 1955. The cellar of Metala was closed soon thereafter as it was simpler to transport the grapes to Stonyfell for processing.

Arthur and his wife Elsie had 2 children - Myles and Mavis. Mavis married Denys Butler and together they managed Metala until Denys died too soon in 1972. Their only daughter, Helen had married Stuart Adams and they lived at his property in Finniss. Helen became heavily involved in the management of Metala and was soon joined by Guy, the second son, upon leaving school. The property and business has since flourished and today Guy Adams and his wife Liz run Metala and Brothers in Arms. Guy and Liz and have two children and represent the 6th generation of the family to live at Metala.

This red wine is a blend of 80% Shiraz and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were sourced from three individual plantings at the estate of Metala Vineyards in Langhorne Creek, within the Fleurieu region of South Australia. Langhorne Creek is primarily a red wine producing region known for its Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 70% of plantings devoted to these two varieties. Langhorne Creek is unique in that it sites on an ancient flood plain created by the Angas and Bremer rivers, with water descending from the Mount Lofty Ranges. The climate is temperate with moderate temperatures that are cooled by breezes from Lake Alexandrina and the Southern Ocean, allowing for a growing season that is long ripening.

The 2016 growing season in Langhorne Creek was notable for its long, dry periods where effectively no rain fell. It was also warmer than normal, with the warmest springs nights ever recorded, as well as record mid-season heat. According to vintage reports, Cabernet Sauvignon was a star due to the slow ripening season. With The Shadow, Killibinbin aims to take one form and turn it into something greater, something that mesmerizes with passionate purpose, hypnotic, alluring, and thrilling. Let's see how this 2016 Australian Shiraz/Cabernet is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KILLIBINBIN THE SHADOW SHIRAZ/CABERNET 2016 - Vegan, Langhorne Creek, South Australia (#23785) (XD) - $20.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 80% Shiraz and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 18 months with 85% in seasoned French oak barriques, and the rest in new hogsheads - 10% French and 5% American. The intense nose is refined and elegant with dark berry, blackcurrant, black pepper, meaty, and savoury earth aromas with hints of blackberry jam, cedar oak, and chocolate. It's medium-full bodied on the dry palate with smooth, fine-grained tannins supporting the dark berry, currant, meaty, peppery spice, and cedar oak flavours. Succulent acids are well-balanced, while savoury oak notes linger on the long, juicy, slightly tangy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

There is a Shiraz from Killibinbin available at the LCBO, while other wines from the range can be ordered through their Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits.

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Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of a consistently well-made Australian Shiraz that arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of theme on Southern Hemisphere wines in the June 18th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Wakefield Wines was founded in Clare Valley in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons with the goal of producing estate wines. Today, Wakefield is owned and operated by the third generation of the Taylor family and produces wines not only from estate fruit, but also sourcing fruit from growers in Australia's iconic wine regions. This red wine is from their Jamaran range, where the Taylor family seeks out parcels of extraordinary fruit from renowned regions to craft wines that showcase the each varietals distinctive regional characteristics and style.

Like previous vintages, including the 2019 Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz that I enjoyed last August, this Shiraz is crafted in a roughly 60/40 split of fruit from Clare Valley and McLaren Vale. With the 2020 vintage, exactly 60% of the fruit is from Clare Valley, and the rest from McLaren Vale. The 2020 growing season in Clare Valley started with challenging weather events that included spring frosts at budburst and then hot and windy conditions during flowering. Wild weather arrived at the start of summer from searing heat and bushfires to heavy rain and chilly, gusty winds. Weather conditions returned to relatively normal in February and March, progressing to a smooth and steady harvest. While it was a tough year for growers in Clare Valley, the fruit quality was high. Conditions in McLaren Vale were similar and characterized as a "tale of two summers" with the first part of summer searingly hot, while the latter part unusually mild and much cooler than normal. Let's see how this 2020 Australian Shiraz is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2020 - Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. The lifted, fragrant nose offers lovely minty herbal notes backed by mocha chocolate, ripe dark berries, sweet vanillin oak, and earth with a touch of jammy and black pepper spice notes. It's medium-full bodied, slightly warming, and very ripe on the palate with black-blue fruits, mocha, vanilla, black pepper, and earthy oak spice flavours. Acids are fresh, juicy and saliva-inducing, while the refined tannins have a pleasing, subtle chalky grip. Minty dark berries and mocha linger on the persistent finish. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Wakefield are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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FRAM Shiraz 2019 (South Africa) - Wine Review

For my final post of 2021, tonight's wine review is this lovely Shiraz from South Africa that arrives at the LCBO in the New Year as part of the first LCBO VINTAGES Release of 2022 on January 8.

This red wine is produced by FRAM Wines, a passion project created in 2013 by Winemaker Thinus Krüger. After working at Boschendal Winery for 12 long years, Thinus decided to take his experience and passion to make even better wines on his own. As CEO, President, Winemaker, and Grape Crusher, Thinus desired to craft wines oozing with personality that wine drinkers will enjoy drinking.

FRAM Wines is named after the Norwegian polar exploration vessel that went to both the North and South Poles more than a century ago. The name means "to move forward". In this spirit, FRAM Wines also sails into uncharted territory to boldly search for whatever great grapes lie behind the next hill, over the next horizon, or in previously unexplored territory.

Thinus Krüger is a member of the Swartland Independent Producers and this is my first time tasting any of his wines. He is known among his peers for having an experimental approach in the cellar, but also strikes a balance between tradition and personal expression. Thinus has become known for creating beautifully balanced wines that seek to reflect the terroir and soil.

Although Thinus works with various different blocks of Shiraz grapes each year, thus the final composition tends to change every year as well, he always tries to represent the unique character of the Swartland terroir. In particular, he believes that Shiraz truly reflects the singular soils in the area. Let's see how this Shiraz is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FRAM SHIRAZ 2019 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#21326) (XD) - $22.95
Mainly Shiraz from a vineyard on sandy granite soils on the eastern side of Malmesbury, plus 5% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre to complete the blend. Screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose offers lovely meaty, black and blue fruit, blackberry, black pepper spice, anise, clove, and gentle wood spice aromas rising out of the glass. On the medium-full bodied, structured palate, it has good fruit concentration and is slightly warming with delicious dark berry, blackberry, black pepper spice, meaty, earthy, and licorice flavours. Slightly tangy on the mid-palate, with fresh, balanced acidity, and refined, slightly grippy tannins. Savoury, earthy, and cocoa notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other delicious FRAM Wines are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Torbreck Cuvée Juveniles 2019 (Barossa) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2017 Torbreck Old Vines Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre a couple of months ago, tonight's wine review is another lovely wine made with the same varietals from the same producer. It arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the October 16th LCBO VINTAGES Release and is featured as part of the theme in that Release on wines from Australia.

Founded in 1994 by David Powell, Torbreck Vintners was named after a forest in Scotland where David worked as a lumberjack. He was inspired to create is own label after working at a number of Barossa wineries. With the share-farm vineyard concept, David was able to obtain fruit from Barossa'a best vineyards to craft highly-acclaimed wines using the classic Rhône varieties Shiraz (Syrah), Grenache and Mataró (Mourvèdre). Today, Torbreck Vintners is owned by Proprietor Peter Kight and they work with multi-generational winegrowers who have great knowledge of the terroir and work their vineyards with minimal intervention.

Cuvée Juveniles was created as a "Côtes du Rhône" inspired bistro wine from the classic Barossa varieties Grenache, Mataro, and Shiraz from mostly old, unirrigated vineyards. These varieties are the cornerstone of the Barossa Valley, and when combined together are often referred to as GSM blends. This particular red wine is a blend of old vines 72% Grenache, 23% Mataro, and 5% Shiraz from multiple vineyards ranging from 40 to 150 year old vines. It was fermented and aged completely in stainless steel tanks, including a completely natural malolactic fermentation, prior to bottling.

The 2019 growing season was defined by a continuously warm to hot summer with no effective rainfall, wind and hail at flowering, and followed with three major frosts - resulting in an earlier and much smaller harvest than average. These tough conditions produced smaller clusters of intensely dark berries with thick, fleshy skins which contrasted against brown, mature stalks. Although 2019 was another year of reduced yields, it did produce wines of very high quality with impressive concentration of colour, tannins, and aromas. Let's see how this 2019 GSM from Barossa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TORBRECK CUVÉE JUVENILES 2019 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#723940) (XD) - $29.95
Screw cap. This unoaked blend of old vines 72% Grenache, 23% Mataro, and 5% Shiraz has fresh, open, intense, and complex aromas of lovely red berry, notes of raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and pomegranate joined by spices, white pepper, and subtle meaty notes. The medium to medium-full bodied palate is fruit-forward with lovely red berry, raspberry, cherry, and pomegranate replays on the flavour profile with spices and meaty notes adding a pleasant savoury component. Exceptionally well-balanced with fresh acidity, smooth, supple, and dusty-textured tannins. Savoury, earthy, even some mineral lingers on the long, clean finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines from Torbreck are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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