Red Wine Yalumba Barossa Shiraz 2018. Yalumba is one of Australia’s oldest wineries with a proud family legacy stretching back to British brewer Samuel Smith who emigrated from Dorset in England. He soon purchased a 30-acre lot in the Barossa Valley which he named after the indigenous word for all the land around”, and planted the first vines here together with his son in 1849. These days Yalumba is loved by wine enthusiasts across the world for their classic Australian Cabernet-Shiraz blends which have been made on the estate since the 1960s. Samuel’s Collection wines honour the vision and dedication of the original founder whose legacy is continued today by the fifth and sixth generations of the family, Robert Hill-Smith and his daughter Jessica. This punchy Cabernet Sauvignon is a great example of the classic Yalumba style with plenty of ripe fruit flavours underlaid with robust tannins and a well-built structure. On the nose there are bold plum, cherry and dark berry notes while the first sip reveals a solid core of crushed wild berries and hints of spice and toast from the 11 months of ageing in new French and Hungarian oak barrels. A good partner for barbecued meats or game dishes.
2018
Red Wine Yalumba Barossa Shiraz 2018
Red Wine Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Bush Vine Grenache 2018. The story of Yalumba begins in 1849 when British brewer Samuel Smith planted the very first vines on his 30-acre estate in the heart of the Barossa Valley. Today the property is still owned by the same family, with Robert Hill-Smith and his daughter Jessica representing the fifth and sixth generations to work this land. Yalumba is best known for its fine Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz blends, although they also excel at working with Grenache. This particular series pays homage to the winery’s founder, Samuel, whose pioneering spirit has inspired his family to make Yalumba into one of Australia’s most loved wineries. This easy-going Australian red is a great example of their philosophy and house style, with plenty of plush fruit and a well-developed structure balanced by freshness will help it age well in the cellar. The fruit destined for this bottle is carefully selected from old bush vines scattered across the Barossa Valley which produce intensely concentrated grapes. After vinification the young wine is aged in American, French and Hungarian oak barrels for 6 months to add complexity and polish. The result is a youthful and energetic red that’s bursting with ripe plums, red cherries and raspberries, silky tannins, and a clean finish with a balancing streak of acidity. A great wine to pair with mature cheeses, charcuterie, tomato-based pasta dishes, or pork chops.
2018
Red Wine Yangarra King’s Wood Shiraz 2018. Yangarra takes its name from the Aboriginal word for from the earth”, reflecting the winery’s ethos of working in harmony with nature. The property is certified as both organic and biodynamic across their 250 acres of vines which are sprinkled with nature corridors and creeks to maintain high biodiversity. Yangarra is probably best known for making Rhone-style reds like this elegant Shiraz from traditional bush vines which were planted in 1946. Their King’s Wood cuvee is made from a single 12 hectare block of vines planted on a sandy outcrop where conditions are ideal for premium winemaking. Once in the winery the fruit is fermented and aged in a 2,500 litre foudre to help emphasize the grace and natural beauty of the variety. Unlike the robust, punchy Shiraz style that is so typical of South Australia, this bottling is made in a more elegant, considered style with a slightly herbal and spiced nose and plenty of ripe dark fruit on the palate. The smooth tannins and medium body make this very approachable even when young, although it can also be cellared for a few more years if desired. Pair with barbecued ribs, charcuterie, or tomato-based pasta dishes.
2018