{"product_id":"wakefield-taylors-family-wines-the-estate-merlot-2024","title":"Wakefield Estate Merlot 2024","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinery Background and History\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eTaylors Wines (Wakefield) is a family-owned South Australian winery founded in 1969 in the Clare Valley. Over decades, the Taylor family has built vineyards, refined winemaking, and developed a reputation for expressive, well-crafted wines across varietals. The “Estate Label” range represents wines made from the estate’s core parcels, combining regional fruit and winemaking technique to deliver consistency and quality under the Wakefield\/Taylors identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eProducer and Wine Maker\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe producer is Taylors \/ Wakefield Wines. Their winemaking team oversees the selection of parcels, harvesting schedules, fermentation regimes, blending decisions, and oak maturation (where applied). The aim is to balance fruit purity, varietal character, and structure, while preserving a sense of place (Clare Valley).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVineyards and Micro Climate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFruit is sourced from Clare Valley, a region known for its warm daytime heat and cool nights (diurnal variation), which helps preserve acidity and aromatic uplift in red wines. The soils are typically well drained, with loam over limestone in places, promoting moderate vigor and concentration. In 2024, the fruit was harvested under conditions that allowed ripening yet retained freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVinification \u0026amp; Aging Methods\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eGrapes are harvested, destemmed and fermented under temperature control. Oak maturation is applied to support structure and complexity; French and American oak is commonly used in the Estate Merlot style. Duration of barrel maturation is moderate to allow oak integration without overwhelming the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOn the nose: ripe red and black cherry, plum, hints of dark berry compote, with undertones of mocha, vanilla, and subtle oak spice. On the palate: medium-to-full body, lush fruit, velvety tannins, smooth mid-palate, and a lingering finish showing dark fruit and gentle spice. The structure is balanced and approachable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood \u0026amp; Wine Pairing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePairs well with grilled or roasted meats (beef, lamb), stews, beef brisket, and barbecued dishes. Also good with earthy mushroom dishes, aged cheeses (e.g. Gouda, Comté), and tomato-based sauces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eService Methods and Temperatures\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eServe at \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e16-18 °C\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Use a large red wine glass (Bordeaux \/ Merlot style). Decant for 20–30 minutes may help open the aromatics and soften tannins. Once opened, best consumed over 1–2 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStorage and Aging Potential\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBest consumed within \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e5–8 years\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e of vintage under good cellar conditions (12–14 °C, stable humidity, away from light). Over time tertiary notes of leather or dried herbs may develop, while fruit will integrate further with oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape Varietals \u0026amp; percentage used\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e100 % Merlot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eABV (Alcohol by Volume)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e~ 14.0–14.5 % (Typical range for this label)\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScores\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e— No widely published critic scores found for 2024 yet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e— Previous vintages of Estate Merlot have been rated around \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e89 \/ 100\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e by critics\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jebsen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47922272796886,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/5465\/4934\/files\/WakefieldTaylor_SFamilyWinesTheEstateMerlot_6042a92e-0efb-4c49-9efd-3a0793121f7a.png?v=1773668051","url":"https:\/\/www.pinotera.com\/products\/wakefield-taylors-family-wines-the-estate-merlot-2024","provider":"Pinotera Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}