Yalumba The Caley Cabernet Shiraz 2016

Scores

99 / 100

"69% Coonawarra Menzies Ming D Block cabernet sauvignon, 25% Barossa Valley Nuriootpa shiraz planted 1901, 6% Eden Valley shiraz planted 1971. Wild ferment to start. Matured 21 months in 25% new French oak barriques and hogsheads. Yalumba began blending Coonawarra cabernet with Barossa shiraz more than a half century ago. This is one of the greatest expressions of this great Australian blend of recent decades. Perfect, compact, fragrant blackcurrant and blackberry fruit depth pauses time as it hovers motionless for minutes, propelled by the most intricate, chalk mineral framework of perfectly interlocked fruit and French oak tannins. A vintage to hark back to for another half century yet."
- James Halliday's Wine Companion

98 / 100

"This has a very impressive sense of composure, offering a very attractive, cedary and floral nose with deep violets and a wealth of forest wood, bracken and blueberries, as well as plums. The palate has intensely ripe, assertive fruit flavors with a succulent, dense and rich delivery of black-cherry, cassis and blackberry flavors. Density with focus and a strong drive at the finish. Long and juicy with real freshness. A blend of 71% Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon and 29% Barossa shiraz."
- James Suckling

96 / 100

"Excellent depth and hue of colour. Lovely harmony in its perfumes, but understated, with red and blue fruits showing through; attractive ripeness and all components are in harmony. The cabernet and shiraz are perfectly meshed. The wine is impressively powerful, with terrific intensity, drive and focus. Slightly firm tannin astringency to finish, which time will soften. A superb wine, promising to unfold more in the future."
- Huon Hooke

Tasting Notes