Tait Border Crossing Shiraz 2014
-
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
With "The Ball Buster" and "The Wild Ride" under winemaker Bruno Tait's belt, he thought it was time he tried a new direction. He had heard so much about the Shiraz in McLaren Vale that he thought he'd check it out for himself. So, he set out to cross the border of wine regions and explore the competition. He loves his Barossa Shiraz but how would it compare with a McLaren Vale Shiraz? Well, "The Border Crossing" has worked out to be big, lush and juicy.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
Offers gravelly tannins, concentrated plum notes and a chewy finish, accented by floral details of violet. White pepper aromas linger and gain momentum on the finish. Drink now through 2027.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A stark contrast to the Barossa-based Shirazes produced by Tait, the 2014 Border Crossing McLaren Vale Shiraz is full-on opulent, voluptuous and a powerhouse of black fruits and chocolate box notes. Full-bodied with lovely richness and plenty of velvety tannins to frame, it finishes with great length.
Other Vintages
2018-
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
Tait Wines is a family owned winery located in the famous Barossa Valley, in South Australia. The Tait name has been involved in the wine industry for more than 100 years, practising the art of cooperage. Tait Wines is continuing this involvement by producing premium quality wines.
The inspiration behind Tait Wines was Giovanni Tait (1927-1997). Giovanni Tait migrated to Australia from Italy in 1957 to take up work as a cooper in the Barossa. His high skill and craftsmanship in his chosen trade led him to B Seppelts and Sons where he took an active role in the production and maturation of wine in oak casks. He learnt cooperage from his father and grandfather before migrating to Australia.
It was not until his sons grew older that his dream came to reality. With his sons, he founded a small winery called Tait Wines. His vision for Tait Wines was to be a traditional winery using all the old winemaking methods to produce hand crafted wines that were powerful in depth, flavour and taste. Each year, the family acknowledges their fathers vision by dedicating the estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon in his honor. This wine reflects all of Giovanni's qualities of age, depth of character and full of life.
Now Bruno with wife Michelle and brother Michael continue to produce premium boutique wines.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.