Wakefield St. Andrews Shiraz Image Hero

St. Andrews Shiraz

  • Clare Valley, 
  • South Australia, 
  • australia

Latest Awards

  • 94 points Wine Enthusiast , December 2021
  • 91-94 points Wine Advocate , February 2020
Background

In 1969, after a considerable search, the Taylor family found a promising 178-hectare site by the Wakefield River in the Clare Valley. They were certain the soil – Terra Rossa (red loam over limestone) – would prove conducive to crafting wines of the highest quality. The contrast of warm days and cool nights in the Clare Valley would be equally beneficial – helping the grapes ripen in the day and allowing the vines to rest at night. The St. Andrews range of wines is named after a historic property in the Clare Valley, first established in 1892 by Scottish immigrants. For years, St. Andrews was one of the leading producers in the area but ceased operating in the 1930s. Recognizing the potential of this land, which lay adjacent Wakefield’s first vineyards, founder Bill Taylor purchased the property in 1995 and replanted, releasing the first vintage in 1999. These critically acclaimed wines are only made in exceptional vintages and from top estate parcels.

TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTES

The St. Andrew’s property, part of Wakefield’s estate, is situated 137 miles north of Adelaide, in the Clare Valley, nestled high in the Mt. Lofty Ranges. Positioned 1,150ft a.s.l. and enjoying near constant sunny days, it yields wines that are rich, yet balanced by natural high acidity. This part of the Clare Valley receives roughly 1760 hours of sunshine per year, the highest of any premium wine region in Australia. A huge diurnal temperature range can result with a daytime temperate of 95˚F, plummeting down to 45˚F at night. The soils are very old and varied; the youngest soil dating back 640 million years. The most prominent soil in the area is Terra Rossa.

Winemaking & Aging

A percentage of the destemmed grapes are fermented in headless American oak barrels and left to soak on the skins for 2 weeks. Post-fermentation, the wine is matured for 20 months in high-quality, water-bent American oak barrels for 12 months, prior to bottling.

Tasting Notes

Complex and enticing bouquet of dark berry fruit, juicy black plum, spice, cedar, and hints of chocolate and roasted coffee. The palate builds further with well-balanced, elegant tannins delivering a very generous and complete wine with textural complexity and long, persistent flavors.

94
Points

With 2018 a strong vintage down under, this wine wears it well. Plush yet high-toned currant and plum-fruit characteristics are followed by a sanguine note—like iodine—along with cedar, mint, pencil lead and a seaweed, umami-like nuance. The mouthfeel is distinctive: tannins like sandpaper but the fruit silky and tangy. There’s power here but drinkability too. Cellar for several years for added complexity or crack open now with a roast lamb or similarly comforting cold weather cuisine. —C.P.

Wine Enthusiast - December 2021

91-94
Points

I tasted a representative blend of the 2018 St Andrews Shiraz that was assembled out of several barrels, and it's even more promising than the 2017. It's brighter and fresher on the nose, with bigger and redder fruit notes. It's also full-bodied and plush, loaded with cherries and raspberries, all on a plush cushion of creamy, vanilla-laden oak. - J.C.

Wine Advocate - February 2020

Appellation

Clare Valley

grape varieties

100% Shiraz

Sizes

750ml

technical details
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • TA: 6.82 g/l
  • RS: 0.63 g/l
  • Ph: 3.63
  • Closure: Screw Cap
winemaker

Adam Eggins

Wakefield

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