Reviews
Five years ago, this Adelaide-Based lawyer decided to launch a wine brand - without a vineyard, a winery or winemaker. His unique selling point was to offer wines made from Australia's classic grape varieties; wines with genuine terroir. Taylor sought out established, high-quality vineyards and enlisted leading winemakers in each region to make wine to his specifications.
The first wines with the Will Taylor label were white and came from the 1999 vintage; a classic lean, taut HunterValley semillon; a floral-fresh riesling from the Clare Valley; and a zesty sauvignon blanc from the Adelaide Hills. The reds arrived later, owing to the time lar from the vintage year to retail sale: Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon and Yarra Valley/Geelong pinot noir. All are very good and can be found on some of the country's best wine lists.
- Australian Gourmet Traveller
May 2004
Will Taylor
Will Taylor is a partner in the leading Adelaide law firm Finlaysons and specialises in wine law. Together with Suzanne Taylor, he has established a classic negrociant wine business, having wines contract-made to his specification. Moreover, he chooses what he considers to be the best regions for each variety; he added a Geelong/Yarra Valley Pinot Noir in 2000. Most of the wine is solds to restaurants, with small volumes sold to a select group od fine wine stores and mail order. Exports to the US.
Clare Valley Riesling 2003 A very firm, tight wines with slate, mineral and a hint of lime; died-in-the-wool stayer
Rating: 91
Drink: 2013
$21
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Attractive cassis and blackcurrent; mdeium-bodied, long and supple.
Rating: 91
Drink:2012
$40
Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Spotlessly clean; attractive mix of herb, gooseberry and passionfruit; crisp finish.
Rating: 90
Drink:Now
$21
Yarra Valley/Geelong Pinot Noir 2002 Elegant, unforced style; seamless plum and cherry fruit; needs a few years.
Rating: 90
Drink: 2008
$40
Hunter Valley Semillon 2003 Plenty of citrus, lemon and herb fruit; should develop into a White Burgundy style sooner rather than later.
Rating: 89
Drink: 2008
$25
Hunter Valey Semillon 1999 Attractive, quite rich bottle-developed flavours; soft, moderate length; tails off on the finish.
Rating: 88
Drink: Now
$25
- James Halliday Wine Companion
2005
Will Taylor Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
92 Points
13.5% Alcohol
Cork
$37
Lawyer Will Taylor, specialist in wine-business hassles, takes the virtual winery to its extreme, buying grapes and hiring winemakers to vinify them to order in different districts around Australia. This meaty, blackcurrant claret from Coonawarra is softer and more accessible than many, perhaps because its wood is subtle and the grapes were ripe. Great steak wine for suits.
- The Advertiser
Wednesday, July 13, 2005.
2000 Will Taylor Hunter Valley Semillon
95 Points
$25
This outstanding traditional-style semillon is ageing gracefully and has years to go. It's medium-yellow in colour, smelling of lemon-scented soap, and has the beginnings of toastiness. Complex but still fresh, it is a wine of intensity, and offers a lingering, dry finish.
- Gourmet Traveller
Top New Realease
June/July 2005