Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 93/100

This long-standing Vintages regular blends the bold elegance of the Clare Valley with the spicy disposition of McLaren Vale fruit. The result is a vigorous wine of pleasing depth and richness. Look for generous, complex blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry, vanilla, mocha, dark chocolate, oak, and pepper spice. A winner of a barbecue wine that will delight through 2034+. - LCBO MINE: Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz is a full-bodied, dry South Australian red that marries the cool-climate elegance of Clare Valley with the earthy power of McLaren Vale, pouring a deep cerise with vivid purple edges and delivering a richly layered nose of crushed boysenberry, roasted cassis and macerated black olive, woven through with ground nutmeg, toasted coconut and a smoky thread of charred wood from its time in American oak hogsheads. On the palate it is generous and mouth-filling, with ripe, well-knit tannins and a dense fruit core buoyed by enough freshness to give the wine focus and drive through to its long, warmly spiced finish. Serve it at room temperature and enjoy now through 2034. Third-generation winemaker Mitchell Taylor leads this family estate, founded on July 21, 1969, the very same day Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a coincidence the Taylor family considers part of their pioneering spirit. The name Jaraman comes from the Aboriginal word for seahorse, inspired by fossils discovered in the estate vineyard that confirmed the Clare Valley was once the floor of an ancient inland sea, a story as compelling as the wine itself. Wakefield is also a founding member of Australia's First Families of Wine. Pour this alongside a seared rare sirloin with a peppercorn crust, where the wine's smoky depth matches every bold bite, or try it with a board of aged cheddar and charcuterie for a richly satisfying match. NEW: Wakefield's Jaraman estate was founded on July 21, 1969, the same day Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. This Shiraz blends the elegance of Clare Valley with the spicier pull of McLaren Vale fruit. Blackberry and dark chocolate lead, with a peppery lift and a smoky thread from American oak. The tannins are ripe and well knit, carrying real drive through a long, warmly spiced finish. Pour it alongside a peppercorn-crusted sirloin or a board of aged cheddar.

Shiraz food pairings: juicy, grilled rare sirloin steak, hard cheese like Cheddar or Havarti.

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This Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz was reviewed on November 21, 2026 by Natalie MacLean

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Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.