2016 Taylors The Pioneer Shiraz, Clare Valley

The Taylors crew love American oak with shiraz. Here it is unabashedly on display. And yet, it is latched onto this full-bodied wine, giving it support and the lead flavouring. Overall, it's smooth, opulent, rich, savoury and leathery, with a flutter of red fruits. All in all, amplified flavours, crafted to a style recipe. For its fan base, it works.

95 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

The 2016 vintage in the Clare Valley is lauded as one of the greats. The vines were stress-free heading into winter, conditions were ideal during flowering, and there was no frost – the ‘perfect storm’ for a truly outstanding vintage, particularly for our Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
The Pioneer 2016 Shiraz  offers a complex evolution of sweet red plum and cherry fruit characters, interwoven with cinnamon spice, vanilla, and hints of violet, all underscored by creamy, rich chocolate notes. The palate is rich, supple, and beautifully layered, with silky, delicate tannins.

2 Trophies 1 Platinum 1 Masters 5 Great Gold 4 Double Gold 17 Gold
95 points Melbourne International Wine Competition 2020

This a commanding wine with multiple layers of intense, lush dark berry fruit followed by spicy fruitcake and then seductive mocha. The palate is full and generous but with precision to the structure and the texture most appealing with velvety, mouth-coating tannins mingling harmoniously with fruit and spice. Elegant acids and light, long tannins carry the palate to a persistently rewarding finish.

Taylors The Pioneer Shiraz represents a bold step and continued journey across generations to craft refined and distinctive wines that rival the world's best. The Pioneer is an exceptional Clare Valley Shiraz crafted from the very finest fruit grown by and available to the Taylor family.