Taylors Jaraman Shiraz 2015

Taylors was established in 1969, three generations ago when Bill Taylor senior and his sons found a site on the Wakefield River in the Clare Valley. The site was 178 hectares on famed terra rossa, red brown loam over limestone soil, perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon, combined with the Clare Valley climate of warm days and cool nights, creating precision and structure in their wines. 

The season leading up to vintage 2015 in the Clare had high rainfall at 14% above the long term average. August was the driest ever recorded and conducive to frost. The first budburst was in late August which is relatively normal. Rainfall in spring was well below average and it was warm & windy causing higher evapotranspiration (water loss). Despite irrigation efforts it still had a detrimental impact on flowering. January was mild with 55mm of rain in the 2nd week. This rainfall had excellent timing as veraison hadn't started, hence very little splitting. The Shiraz responded well to the rainfall for yield & quality. In McLaren Vale, the 2014/15 season was notable for months of no rainfall. The region had an average winter rainfall, although it fell in a strange pattern. June-July were wetter than average, but no significant rainfall in August. Late August had cold nights, delaying budburst. Spring had the lowest rainfall recorded in the last 20 yrs. Flowering began early & whilst weather was warm, winds were mild achieving good berry. December had low rainfall & it was cooler than normal in January. Temperatures increased in February to above average. Harvesting was very compressed & completed early in just over 7 weeks. Winemakers reported strong regional characters with Shiraz standing out again as a variety that fares well in dry seasons.

Jaraman is the aboriginal word for seahorse, so named after the fossilised remains found on the Taylor property. Jaraman is a wine of regional diversity, a harmonious consolidation of terroirs. Enter Jaraman Shiraz, a multi dimensional wine and tour de force embodying the expressions of two distinct Shiraz regions, comely Clare township and the mighty McLaren Vale.

Winner of 28 gold medals

"Deep crimson-purple; all the synergy hoped for by the winemaker has been achieved. This is as complex as it is full-bodied, with an inky black fruit bouquet, the palate filled to overflowing with black fruits, spice, licorice and dark chocolate all contributing. Has the X-factor, especially if it is given 10+ years in the bottle. Great value too. James Halliday, James Halliday Wine Companion 95 Points"