Full Review

Wakefield

Wakefield
2020 Merlot, Clare Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: Australia
Alcohol: 14.5%
92 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$18
Best Buy

Wakefield
2020 Merlot, Clare Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: Australia
Alcohol: 14.5%
Violet color. Aromas and flavors of green pepper, cocoa butter, and black tea with a lively, dry medium-to-full body and a tingling, medium-length finish that shows suggestions of blueberry compote, mulberry, and dried spearmint with well-integrated tannins. An approachable style with a hint of herbal enlightenment to expand horizons.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: New World
Aroma Aroma: green pepper, cocoa butter, and black tea
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with suggestions of blueberry compote, mulberry, and dried spearmint
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years Enjoy on its own
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: An approachable style with a hint of herbal enlightenment to expand horizons.

The Producer or Importer

Brown-Forman Beverages

The Producer or  Importer
P O Box 1080 / 850 Dixie Hwy.
Louisville, KY 40210
USA
1 502-585-1100

Their Portfolio

91 Early Times Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 50% (USA) $24.00.
88 El Jimador Añejo Tequila 40% (Mexico) $26.00.
BR El Jimador Reposado Tequila 40% (Mexico) $21.00. - Bronze Medal
88 El Jimador Silver Tequila 40% (Mexico) $21.00.
88 Herradura Reposado Tequila 40% (Mexico) $42.00.
85 Herradura Ultra Anejo Tequila Cristalino 40% (Mexico) $59.00.
BR Sonoma-Cutrer 2020 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sonoma County 11.9% (USA) $25.00. - Bronze Medal
90 Sonoma-Cutrer 2019 Chardonnay, Sonoma County 13.9% (USA) $23.00.
92 Wakefield 2020 Merlot, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $18.00.
94 Wakefield 2020 Riesling, Clare Valley 12.0% (Australia) $18.00.
87 Wakefield 2020 Chardonnay, Clare Valley 13.5% (Australia) $18.00.
94 Wakefield 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $18.00.
91 Wakefield 2019 Shiraz, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $18.00.
91 Wakefield 2019 Promised Land, Shiraz, South Australia 14% (Australia) $13.00.
88 Wakefield 2020 Promised Land, Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia 14.0% (Australia) $13.00.
91 Wakefield 2021 Promised Land, Chardonnay, South Australia 13.5% (Australia) $13.00.
89 Wakefield 2019 Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet, South Australia 14.5% (Australia) $13.00.
89 Wakefield 2021 Estate, Merlot, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $18.00.
93 Wakefield 2022 Estate, Riesling, Adelaide Hills 12% (Australia) $18.00.
93 Wakefield 2021 Estate, Chardonnay, Padthaway 13.5% (Australia) $18.00.
92 Wakefield 2020 Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $18.00.
89 Wakefield 2020 Estate, Shiraz, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $18.00.
88 Wakefield 2020 Promised Land, Shiraz, South Australia 14% (Australia) $13.00.
89 Wakefield 2021 Promised Land, Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia 14% (Australia) $13.00.
95 Wakefield 2022 Promised Land, Chardonnay, South Australia 13.5% (Australia) $13.00.
92 Wakefield 2022 Promised Land, Pinot Grigio, South Australia 13% (Australia) $13.00.
94 Wakefield 2023 Estate, Pinot Gris, South Australia 13% (Australia) $18.00.
89 Wakefield 2023 Estate, Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills 12.5% (Australia) $18.00.
93 Wakefield 2022 Estate, Chardonnay, South Australia 13.5% (Australia) $18.00.
93 Wakefield 2021 Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia 14.5% (Australia) $18.00.
88 Wakefield 2021 Estate, Shiraz, South Australia 14.5% (Australia) $18.00.
92 Wakefield 2021 Jaraman, Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia 14.5% (Australia) $22.00.
94 Wakefield 2022 Jaraman, Pinot Noir, Tasmania 13.5% (Australia) $22.00.
93 Wakefield 2021 Jaraman, Shiraz, South Australia 14.5% (Australia) $22.00.
93 Wakefield 2020 St Andrews, Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $50.00.
94 Wakefield 2020 St Andrews, Shiraz, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $50.00.
93 Wakefield 2022 St Andrews, Chardonnay, Clare Valley 12.5% (Australia) $32.00.
92 Wakefield 2023 St Andrews, Riesling, Clare Valley 12% (Australia) $32.00.
95 Wakefield 2019 The Pioneer, Shiraz, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $140.00.
93 Wakefield 2019 The Visionary, Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley 14.5% (Australia) $140.00.

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.