Taylors Masterstroke Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2016

Great to see Taylors having a good crack at the classic Australian cabernet shiraz blend. While blends are becoming less and less fashionable the great Aussie blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, or shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, still represents one of Australia’s greatest gifts to international fine wine.

Taylors have resisted the temptation to go away from their Clare Valley base for this wine and have turned out a very impressive first release in that slightly rustic Clare Valley dry red style. Deeply coloured, it is crammed full of blackberry, baked earth and black pepper fruit which is matched by some quite decadent oak. The palate is then big and muscular, but balanced, with tarry liquorice fruits supported by a line of firm tannins. It is not overly varietal but is is a great drink and certainly has the stuffing to drink well over the next decade.