Wakefield Estate Merlot, Clare Valley

£12.45 / bottle
£141.93 / case (12+ bottles, 5% off)

Country	Australia
Region	Clare Valley
Size	75cl
Year	2016
Grape	Merlot
Other Grapes	Not Blend
Website Link	Wakefield Wines

Description

Wakefield Estate Merlot is a 100% Merlot sourced from vineyards in the Clare Valley wine-growing region of Australia. Wakefield Wines are still known under their original name of Taylor’s Wines in Australia.

Wakefield Wines are located in the heart of the Clare Valley and was founded by wine merchant Bill Taylor Senior in 1969 with the purchase of 178 hectares of vineyards near the Wakefield River in Auburn. Bill Taylor carefully chose the site for its red brown loam over limestone soils ( this is known as “terra rossa”) and cool climate of the Clare valley. The same year, 1969, the first Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted.

The grapes for Wakefield Estate Merlot are sourced mainly from Taylor’s Lodden and St Andrews blocks on the family estate. After harvest the bunches are de-stemmed and fermented in stainless steel. After the first fermentation the fruit is pressed into more stainless steel where it undergoes malolactic fermentation. The wine is finally aged for 12 to 16 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels (10% new, 30% 1yr old, 60% 2yrs & older) before being blended & bottled after minimal filtration.

Serve With

Try with Roast duck with Asian vegetables, Irish Stew or Lamb Curry.

Tasting Notes

Wakefield Estate Merlot is a vibrant, youthful red colour with an intense red / purple hue. The wine displays lifted aromas of raspberry, cherry and violets with enticing vanilla bean, spice and cinnamon from quality oak maturation. On the palate there are layers of ripe, dark fruit alongside rich fruit cake characters. Oak maturation has delivered flavours of vanilla, mocha and subtle spice and the finish has a pleasing degree of elegance.