After a great success with Tait ‘The Ballbuster’ Shiraz Blend – the only under $20 wine from anywhere that has won 10 consecutive 90+ ratings from Wine Advocate – ABC Fine Wine & Spirits is happy to also add Tait “The Wild Ride’ to its portfolio. ‘The Wild Ride’ is a delicious blend of 60% Shiraz, 20% Grenache and 20% Mataro (aka Mourvèdre).

Located at the southern end of Australia’s famed Barossa Valley, Tait Wines is owned and operated by brothers Michael and Bruno Tait and Bruno’s wife Michelle. The property was purchased in 1994. Michael and Bruno’s father, Giovanni Tait, was a third generation cooper who migrated to Australia from Italy in 1957. Though heavily involved with other areas of the wine industry – making and repairing barrels for some of Australia’s most famous wineries – Giovanni’s dream was always to establish a small winery. Michael and Bruno were able to make that dream a reality and to fulfill his vision.

His vision for Tait Wines was as a traditional winery using old winemaking techniques to produce handcrafted wines that were full-flavored and tasty. The fruit is from 50-80 year old vines, and is grown in the Barossa Valley by Michael and Bruno or by partnering grape growers who share the same low yield philosophy. The grapes are then basket pressed to ensure a wine that is soft and generous, with loads of personality.

The current 2012 vintage of ‘The Wild Ride’ received 91 points from Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, who wrote: “Ruby-red. Fresh cherry and blackberry aromas show very good clarity and energy. Offers intense, juicy cherry and floral pastille flavors that put on weight and spiciness with aeration. Shows impressive power without undue weight and finishes spicy and long, with sneaky sweetness and just a trace of dusty tannins.”

Take ‘The Wild Ride’ today. You won’t be disappointed.

Bill Stobbs, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinebills