A lithe, sinewy blend; medium-bodied and highly savoury. I like this sort of wine. More European, without being pretentious or shedding its Australian identity. Currant, pencil lead and graphite notes meander across an astringent bow of sage-clad tannin. Verdant without being underripe. The finish is gentle. Supple. An Aussie Petit Chateau. Long enough for an appetising drink across the short to medium term.
92 points, Wine Companion (March 2020)
This is a wine for the purists out there with the cooler Eden Valley climate turning out a cabernet shiraz blend that is built for the long haul thanks to a chewy, muscular structure. First impressions are of a serious cool climate cabernet sauvignon – sweet leafy blackburrant fruits with pine, cedar and French oak. It is followed by a dense and quite closed palate – olive, blackberry, soy sauce and peppery spice from shiraz leading the way with hints of cigarbox all underpinned by fresh acidity and chewy tannins. It’s long, strong and a bit structure-heavy right now needing plenty of time to flesh out but absolutely has the staying power to cellar for at least a decade. It’s a sleeper for sure.
94 points, Wine Pilot (June 2021)
This has a distinctive leafy and spicy edge with plenty of fragrance and a mix of blueberry and blackcurrant aromas. Complex and fresh, this is a hidden gem in the range of Yalumba reds. The extra couple of years has delivered a seamless palate that holds bright, thanks to vibrant acidity and finely groomed tannins. Drink or hold.
93 points, JamesSuckling.com (November 2021)
A blend of cabernet and shiraz from vineyards in Eden Valley high country. An elegant, supple blend with floral, violet, raspberry and spicy cedar oak flavours. A beautifully restrained wine with serious cellaring potential.
95 points, The Real Review (April 2021)
Deep ruby through the glass. A nose of bay leaf, black fruits and cigar-box. Such a balanced palate, dark fruits, leafy notes and cedar shavings around the outside. A fine line of tannins carries it all and there's a freshness which is remarkable for a five-year-old wine. A perfect example of the great Australian blend.
95 points, The Real Review (March 2021)
Samuel Smith established Yalumba in 1849 and 165 years later descendant Robert Hill Smith now presides over Australia's oldest family owned wine company. Yalumba owns vineyards and sources fruit primarily in the Barossa and Coonawarra. Robert Hill-Smith manages to combine conservatism and tradition with up-to-date winemaking technology and thinking. Yalumba produces a considerable number of different wines across the price-point spectrum from a multitude of varieties, all with a focus on quality, varietal and regional expression. The strong winemaking team is headed up by Louisa Rose, a brilliantly intuitive winemaker whose white wines are some of the best in the country.
