2021 Taylors St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley

Svelte and elegant rendering of the regional staple. Lots of woody spice here so strap in for that. Mocha, cola, dark cherry, cocoa powder over blackberry and red plum. Thick set and powerful, well balanced with inky persistence, liquid spice and cola notes. Serious stuff here. Well balanced and deep. Righteous in its way. Drink 2024-2039.

95 points Mike Bennie for Halliday Wine Companion, November 2024

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon St Andrews is built to please, with a rich vein of sweet blackcurrant aromas and touches of leaf enmeshed in bold, resinous, toasted coconut-scented oak. This is dense and packed with tannins and some jammy notes. Good length and structure will ensure the 2021 ages well. Drink 2028-2038.

92 points Angus Hughson for Vinous, August 2025

The St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon sits at the top of the Taylors portfolio, released only from select estate parcels and only in vintages the winemaking team considers worthy. The 2021 is one of those: a La Niña season that brought cool conditions and a late, slow harvest, giving the Cabernet more time on the vine to develop aromatic complexity and fine tannin structure. The fruit was given extended skin contact before 18 months in French oak, with one third new barrels. The oak influence is present but measured.

Cedar, cassis and violet on the nose, with blackcurrant and a hint of dark chocolate. The palate is full-bodied and fresh with good fruit depth, fine tannins and a long, seamless finish. Approachable now with a good decant and will continue to develop for several years.

For a steak dinner or something slowroasted and falling off the bone.

Drink now through 2033.