2018 Taylors The Legacy Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley

Deep garnet. Initially quite savoury and sanguine, opening to pot-pourri florals, cherry lozenge, blackcurrant confiture, mentholatum, mocha. Supple on the mid-palate, with bright acidity and fruit knitted together in a generous yet tightly coiled whole. Generous tannins. Robust and assured, marrying a layered palate to a firm structural backbone. Mature and approachable now, with the structure to hold. Drink to 2040.

97 points Melissa Moore for The Real Review, January 2026

92/4/4% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc. So impressive. So inky, so deep, such balance, so much finesse despite the richness, distinct concentration, lavish sweet spice, chocolate-y nuance, ripe fruits and earthy savouriness. Blackcurrants, mocha, raspberry licorice, herbal lift, cola, cardamom, nutmeg and turned earth characters abound. Perfume and palate in sync, a tour de force in both with massive impact and huge persistence part and parcel. Wow stuff here. Such a bold, muscular flex of shiraz, and all of it done so very, very well. Only 600 bottles made of this wine. Drink to 2040.

96 points Mike Bennie for Halliday Wine Companion, January 2026

Sweet aromas of blackcurrant, mulberries and cherries open the lifted nose that also shows notes of menthol, mocha, warm spice and forest floor. The savoury palate echoes the nose in a harmonious manner, with precise and detailed flavours, bright acidity and generous tannins. Full-bodied and structured, it remains poised despite it’s obvious weight and concentration.

This exceptional Clare Valley is for the grand celebration table, pairing beautifully with slow-braised, rich, gelatinous oxtail ragu. The wine’s generous tannins and vibrant acidity effortlessly frame the melting, rich textures of the meat, while the deep mocha and forest floor notes seamlessly bridge the dish's sweet-savory complexity.

More about this wine

Taylors is a third-generation family-owned winery with substantial estate vineyards in South Australia’s Clare Valley. The Legacy represents the family’s ultimate wine offer.

This wine is from the 2018 season, a classic Indian Summer where early autumn proved warmer than summer. Minor rainfall events helped replenish soil moisture, while warm days provided extended hang time for the grapes. The slow, even ripening was particularly beneficial for Cabernet Sauvignon, and the season is regarded as one of the finest of the past two decades.

The blend is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc in supporting roles. The Merlot was destemmed, chilled, and traditionally fermented over ten days before being pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturation. ­The Cabernets were destemmed, chilled, and allowed extended skin contact for 2–3 weeks before a cool, slow fermentation over three weeks to preserve delicate aromas and build structure. Parts were pressed to French oak for malolactic fermentation, while others remained on skins for up to two months to enhance concentration and weight. The initial blending of selected material occurred after nine months, followed by a further two years of barrel maturation in French oak, 30% of which were new.