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The Pioneer

Shiraz 2015

This pinnacle release Shiraz is crafted from the very finest fruit selection and is entirely estate grown and bottled on the Taylor family estate in the Clare Valley, South Australia.

1  Review Add Your Review
Member Price
$233.75
$701.25 / case
Standard Price
$275.00
$825.00 / case
Bottle(s)
  • Bottle(s)
  • Case (3 pack)
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Expert Appraisals

Reviews

  • Ronn Wiegand MW, MS, Restaurant Wine

    1 Oct 2021
    5 Stars
    …superb Clare Valley Shiraz… with layers of oak… complexity… wonderful balance, and a long, rich, harmonious finish.
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More Information
Previous Vintages 2012, 2013, 2014
Region Clare Valley
Colour At release, the wine is a striking, dark cherry colour which sits at the mid-point between black and ruby.
Nose Generous and immediately offers sweet, spice characters of fine oak lifting from the glass. These are underscored by fresh, red plum and cherry fruit characters that sit confidently at the heart of the wine.
Palate The palate shows considerable structure. There is much to enjoy now, with vanilla and liquorice root notes in abundance through the mid-palate and layering beautifully onto the back-palate and finish, whilst blueberry and ripe dark plums define the overall heart of the wine. The tannins have a velvety softness to them that is neither bitter nor over-firm, reminiscent of sweet plum skins and reinforcing the sense that this wine shall develop exceptionally well in the cellar.
Vintage Conditions In the Clare Valley, the growing season in the lead up to vintage 2015 saw slightly higher than average amounts of rainfall initially and then very little fell, making it the driest ever August recorded at the estate. The first evidence of budburst appeared in the last week of August which is relatively normal. Rainfall for spring was well below average and not only was the spring weather extremely dry, it was also warm and windy. These conditions had a detrimental impact on flowering with resultant bunch numbers down on average. December and January were relatively mild, with rain falling during the second week of January. The moisture was a welcome relief after such a dry spring and the varieties on the estate responding well for both yield and quality.
Oak Maturation Post MLF, the wine was matured in a selection of fine-grained American and French oak barrels – 75% new and the balance in two and three years old Érmitage, AP John and Du Val de Loire barrels. These barrels were specially selected for their ability to im
Cellaring Notes Immediately approachable but will cellar well in ideal conditions for up to 20 years from vintage date.
Alc%: 14.5
Acid: 6.95
PH: 3.40
Residual Sugar: 1.50
Wine Type: Red
Wine Body: Full
Blend or Single Variety: Single Variety
Pack Size: Single: 750ml bottle Case: 3 x 750ml bottle
  • 2019
  • The Asian Syrah Masters
  • Gold
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  • Ned Goodwin MW, James Halliday Wine Companion

    Aug 2020
    93 Points
    Fully destemmed, cold soaked and fermented under the aegis of sturdy, inoculated yeasts in open American oak barrels. Following pressing, the wine was then transferred back to the same barrels, this time with heads reassembled, for malolactic. Ensuing maturation in American oak (40% new) took place for 12 months. This spiel is light years from what is going on in contemporary Australian wine and yet, the plush avuncular cherry, bourbon anise and mocha-scented fruit sweetness has its charms and presumably at this sort of pricing, plenty of fans. Fully loaded.
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  • Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast: Buying Guide

    Jan 2021
    91 Points
    This wine is currently in a quiet spot and needs either lengthy decanting or to be opened a day in advance of drinking. It's only then that it feels cohesive, and the red fruit, floral and savory spice and umami notes start to shine. It's tightly structured, with fresh acidity and sinewy tannins, and clearly built for the long haul. Hold through 2028.
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  • Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast: Buying Guide

    Jul 2021
    91 Points
    This wine is currently in a quiet spot and needs either lengthy decanting or to be opened a day in advance of drinking. It’s only then that it feels cohesive, and the red fruit, floral and savory spice and umami notes start to shine. It’s tightly structured, with fresh acidity and sinewy tannins, and clearly built for the long haul. Hold through 2028.
    Show more

  • Ronn Weigand, Restaurant Wine

    Oct 2021
    5 Stars
    The Pioneer is a superb Clare Valley Shiraz, in a powerful, rich, complex, well balanced style. It is very intense and ripe in flavour (loganberry, blackberry jam, black cherry, black olive), with layers of oak (and barrel aging) complexity (toast, cedar, tobacco, caramel), wonderful balance, and a long, rich, harmonious finish. Remarkable wine; beginning to drink well but will develop with further aging. One of Australia's top Shirazs. Named after 'pioneer' Bill Taylor, the winery founder, who was a major Shiraz proponent in Clare Valley before other producers embraced it. This is the third - and best - release. 4 day cold soak. Aged 12 months in American oak barrels, 40% new.
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