Background

Named in honor of Bill Taylor, The Pioneer is a bold step in the Taylor family’s continued journey to craft refined and distinctive wines that rival the world’s best.

Wakefield’s The Pioneer Shiraz represents a bold step in the continued journey across generations to craft refined and distinctive wines that rival the world’s best. The Pioneer is an exceptional Clare Valley Shiraz crafted from the very finest fruit grown by and available to the Taylor family

Appellation

Clare Valley, Australia

Varietal Composition

100% Shiraz

Winemaking

Each parcel was de-stemmed and cold soaked for a period of four days. A portion of each parcel was then transferred to new headless American oak barrels and the balance to small static fermenters. Each parcel was fermented at 22°C to 28°C over a period of seven to ten days using RX60 yeast to add complexity and retain aromatics. After a period of extended skins contact the wines were then pressed and underwent malolactic fermentation. Between April and September 2012 each of the parcels were matured in a selection of 2012 first use AP John and Vicard fine grain American oak barrels and the balance in a selection of one, two and three year old fine grain American oak barrels. After six months, the wine from each parcel was individually racked before being returned to barrel for a further ten months. Prior to bottling, a painstaking barrel selection was undertaken for each of the individual components.

Tasting Notes

A vibrant, mid-dense purple crimson with a deep, black cherry-skin core. This wine is generous and rounded at first with juicy, deep berry compote fruits then yielding to a tightly woven frame of firm yet generous tannins. There are alluring, coconut oak and fine dark chocolate characters, with a deep, soft centre of ripe berry fruits. Elegant acids and light, long tannins carry the palate to deliver a lingering finish.