Full Review

Taylors Estate

Taylors Estate
2024 Merlot, Clare Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Vegetables

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: Australia
Alcohol: 14% RS: .35%
94 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$18
Best Buy

Taylors Estate
2024 Merlot, Clare Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Vegetables

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: Australia
Alcohol: 14% RS: .35%
Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of eucalyptus, orange blossom honey, spicy black currant pie, and smoked herbal tea with a satiny, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and an even, complex, long finish evoking notes of spicy fruit cake, cherry tart, and creme anglaise with well-integrated, chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A delightfully bright, spicy and herbal Merlot that livens the palate and will be great with a spicy meat dishes.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, New World & Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: eucalyptus, orange blossom honey, spicy black currant pie, and smoked herbal tea
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of spicy fruit cake, cherry tart, and creme anglaise
Sweetness Sweetness: Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Beef Teriyaki, Goulash, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A delightfully bright, spicy and herbal Merlot that livens the palate and will be great with a spicy meat dishes.

The Producer

Wakefield Taylors Wines

The Producer
89A Winery Road
Auburn, South Australia 5451
Australia
61 08-8849 1111

Their Portfolio

92 Aromantiques 2024 Rosé, Clare Valley 13% (Australia) $22.00.
89 Jaraman 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley/Coonawarra 14.5% (Australia) $24.00.
88 Jaraman 2020 Shiraz, Clare Valley/McLaren Vale 14.5% (Australia) $24.00.
90 Masterstroke 2018 Cabernet Shiraz Red Blend, Clare Valley 14% (Australia) $42.00.
93 Masterstroke 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra 14% (Australia) $42.00.
90 Masterstroke 2020 Shiraz, McLaren Vale 14.5% (Australia) $42.00.
94 St. Andrews 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $53.00.
94 St. Andrews 2019 Shiraz, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $53.00.
93 St. Andrews 2023 Chardonnay, Clare Valley 13% (Australia) $32.00.
87 Taylor Made 2022 Rosé, Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills 12.5% (Australia) $22.00.
88 Taylor Made 2023 Rosé, Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills 12.5% (Australia) $22.00.
89 Taylors Estate 2022 Rosé, Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills 12.5% (Australia) $18.00.
89 Taylors Estate 2023 Rosé, Pinot Noir, McLaren Vale 13% (Australia) $18.00.
92 Taylors Estate 2023 Rosé, Pinot Noir, McLaren Vale 13% (Australia) $18.00.
94 Taylors Estate 2024 Rosé, Pinot Noir, Mclaren Vale 13% (Australia) $18.00.
94 Taylors Estate 2024 Merlot, Clare Valley 14% (Australia) $18.00.
89 Taylors Estate 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia 14.5% (Australia) $18.00.
93 Taylors Estate 2023 Shiraz, Australia 14.5% (Australia) $18.00.
BR Taylors Estate 2025 Rose, Australia 13% (Australia) $18.00. - Bronze Medal
94 The Aromantiques 2023 Rosé, Clare Valley 11% (Australia) $22.00.

Merlot

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
Merlot is a red variety that is loved by consumers, yet often shunned by certain wine gurus and critics, as they perceive these wines as “little sisters” to the more powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Yet on its own, the best examples of Merlot are multi-layered, complex wines that are among the finest in the world.

Merlot has many similar flavors to Cabernet Sauvignon, especially with its cherry and plum fruit, but is has fewer, less sharp tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Many producers whether in Bordeaux, America, Chile or elsewhere, often blend small percentages of Merlot into Cabernet Sauvignon to lessen the tannic bitterness of the latter.

A few districts in France’s Bordeaux region, namely Pomerol, are home to the greatest examples of Merlot. Chateau Petrus is the world’s most famous example of Merlot, a powerful wine that ages beautifully for 30 or 40 years in the best vintages. There are also celebrated examples from American, especially in Washington’s Walla Walla valley as well as in Napa Valley in California. Merlot is also very successful in Chile, New Zealand and even in certain part of Italy.

Merlot pairs best with foods such as lamb or veal, but it also sought out by consumers to accompany steaks and roast when they want a rounder, more elegant red wine.

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