wakefield

Tasting Terroir: Wakefield ‘Jaraman’ Chardonnay

wakefield jaraman chardonnay the three drinkers

They say the more you know about a subject, the more you enjoy it and nowhere is this more true than with the wonderful world of wine. Understanding what makes a Chardonnay (for example), from one region of a country different to one from another is not just the key to finding  - and remembering - your favourite styles of wine; it is the thing that turns wine drinkers into wine lovers. Chardonnay is never just Chardonnay. Cabernet is never just Cabernet. The exact combination of natural elements in the vineyards where the grapes were grown such as soil type, topography and climate, will add a unique characteristic to the final wine, be it in aroma, flavour, texture or all three. The word that sums up all these unique elements is ‘terroir’; a word that once understood, opens up a world of delight to anyone who enjoys wine as they explore grapes and bottles from all over the world. 

Wakefield Wines and their terroir

Australia is well known for its wine making prowess with numerous, diverse wine regions, each with its own distinctive style thanks to its unique terroir. One family-owned, Australian wine producer called Wakefield, has long understood the importance of this and have created a range that showcases the distinctive characteristics of some of Australia’s iconic wine regions using the grapes that region is well known for. This is their Jaraman range, named after the Indigenous word for ‘seahorse’, as fossilised seahorses were found in Wakefield’s Clare Valley property from when the area was submerged by an inland sea eons ago.

What is the Wakefield Jaraman range?

The Taylor family, based in the Clare Valley with their own vineyards, have owned Wakefield for three generations. For their Jaraman range, the winemakers source parcels of the best fruit available from their vineyards in Clare Valley, but also from other iconic regions such as Coonawara and Margaret River, gently hand crafting them into wines that preserve and enhance the distinctive characteristics from those places. 

The Jaraman Chardonnay

The Jaraman Chardonnay takes grapes from Margaret River and Clare Valley and blends them to create an unbelievably delicious drink when the whole is even greater than the sum of its parts. With a searing, lime citrus, freshness and intense aromatics of ripe melon, nectarine and pineapple together with an almost flinty, mineral core, this is an incredibly complex wine that manages to say so much, but quietly. Elegantly. The Clare Valley fruit offers a characteristic fleshiness, while the Margaret River Chardonnay throws in moreish, guava and fresh figs notes. A gentle amount of oak brings everything together and adds a light, creamy texture and a hint of warm spice.

Find it at Majestic for £17.99 (£15.99 mix six price).

Read about the Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon here

Wakefield Wines 'Jaraman' Cabernet Sauvignon

Words by Aidy Smith

Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet The Three Drinkers

You know what I love seeing? A winery that has a built a global reputation of success and is still very much family owned. That’s the story of Wakefield Wines, who in 2017 when this particular wine was produced were given the title of ‘World’s Most Awarded Winery’. A testament to the hard work they’ve put in over three generations and a stamp of approval for their delicious wines with which have now graced our glasses for over fifty years.

For those less familiar, located in the heart of Clare Valley, Wakefield Wines was founded in 1969 by Bill Taylor Senior, a publican turned wine merchant who took his love of the grape to a whole new level. With his knowledge of the area, Bill began to plant vines in the perfect limestone soils for this cool climate region. Decades later, what was originally just 178 hectares of vineyards has continued to grow, allowing the winery to become one of the most highly esteemed producers in Australia.

The Jaraman range: a taste of terroir

This brings us to the Jaraman range, one of the more recent additions to their portfolio and in this case, the rich and juicy Cabernet Sauvignon. The word ‘Jaraman’ means seahorse in the Indigenous language and refers to when the family discovered tiny seahorse fossils found buried within the vineyards of Wakefield’s Clare Valley properties. Completely submerged by an inland sea for millions of years, the discovery of these little fossils when creating their dams on the property became the inspiration behind the company’s emblem.

This bespoke collection of wines was created to showcase a unique sense of terroir and regional expression. Australia has a massively diverse make-up of wine regions, so Adam Eggins, Wakefield’s winemaker of over 20 years decided to take grapes from two exceedingly quality driven areas – Coonawarra and Clare Valley. Doing so has allowed the family to blend the sumptuous ripe fruits and fine tannins of Clare Valley with the fine tannins and velvety mouthfeel we have come to associate with Coonawarra.

The result? A touch of French oak when ageing lends way to flavours of dark stewed plum, blackberry and blackcurrant with a smooth milk chocolate and tobacco. Great structure meets delicate tannins before the story comes to a finale with its soothing blackberry finish. This is my wind down wine at the end of the day, eagerly awaiting that moment of pure satisfaction as the first sip touches your taste buds. It helps that this wine goes wonderfully with just about anything you’re eating, meat, fish or vegetables, too.

Winery: Wakefield Wines
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
ABV: 14.5%
Size: 750ml

Buy now from Majestic £17.99 a bottle of £15.99 (mixed case deal)