Decanter: 96 Punkte
For anyone who has kept a keen eye on Yalumba, this is the brand’s big wine to watch. Much has changed since this big-framed Barossa Shiraz was first introduced in 1990, with winemaker Kevin Glastonbury altering the oak regime significantly, reducing the amount and varieties of new oak barrels. It enjoys long, slow maturation – over 19 months in 25% new French hogsheads and barriques, with the balance in older French 100-litre octave (eight-stave) barrels – which helps settle the heft of this stern old-vine fruit. Its strong body has muscular blackberry and myriad shades from the black fruit spectrum – black plums, cherries and dark chocolate – with high aromatic puffs of clove and violets. Held in check by a tight line of ironstone tannins and firm oak, but still supple enough to roll enticingly on the palate. - David Sly (04/2025)
