“It’s 1969, man walks on the moon, Dad begins planting the vines, and Mum is making me.” And just like that, you know you’re not just here for a tasting, you’re stepping into a family story. Delivered with a glass of Taylors Reserve Parcel Merlot in hand and a grin that could only belong to someone who genuinely loves what he does, Justin Taylor opens the lunch the way all good stories start, with warmth, humour and roots that go deep.
Justin is part of the third generation behind Taylors Wines, one of Australia’s most awarded family-owned wineries, and while their St. Andrews collection might speak of elegance and refinement, the man himself is refreshingly real. Engaging, curious and generous with his time and tales, he doesn’t just pour the wine, he pours the legacy.
Over a tasting lunch, that felt more like catching up with family, we were introduced to the heart of the Taylors story. Family, fruit and a deep respect for both.
The Taylors’ journey began long before the wine in our glasses did. From bottling under the Chateau Clare label in the 1950s, to acquiring a property by the Wakefield River in 1969, the Taylor family has always had its eyes on something more enduring than trends… quality. Inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux, Bill Taylor set out to create a legacy that could be passed down, and not just in bottles, but in stories, soil and of course shared meals.
It’s a vision still carried by the family today, and one that’s especially tangible in the St. Andrews collection, which was named after the historic vineyard planted over 130 years ago. These wines are time capsules. Expressions of vintage, weather and winemaking restraint, each crafted with an ethos of ‘respect the fruit’.
The wines, of course, are spectacular. We started with a welcome glass of the 2023 Taylors St. Andrews Riesling, bright, citrusy and pure. Think lime, orange blossom and that unmistakable Clare Valley crispness that dances on the palate. Then came the 2022 Chardonnay, layered with stone fruit, biscuit and a whisper of toasted cashew. Matured in French oak, it carried both structure and subtlety.
With entrées, we were delighted to be some of the first to try the soon-to-land beauty… the Reserve Parcel Merlot 2024, available from September. Deep garnet in colour, with aromas of plum, cassis and violet, it was an elegant nod to the power of site selection and winemaking finesse.
The main courses called for bolder pours, the 2020 St. Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2021 St. Andrews Shiraz. The cab sav, despite its challenging vintage (fires, frosts and wild weather), was complex and generous. Blackberry, tobacco and spice made for a classic, long finish. The shiraz followed with richness and grace, dark fruit, mocha and a mouthfeel that makes you close your eyes and sigh… in a good way of course!
This wine is more than just flavour. It’s about place, patience and passing something on. And each bottle tells a story that’s bigger than the vintage.
Justin said it best… “We’re not just making wine, we’re making something worth remembering.” Cheers to that.