2021 Yalumba Signature Cabernet Shiraz

“And here I was thinking The Signature 2021 was one of the best releases to date, and then this 2022 comes around. Woah, this is something special. The talent of winemaker Kevin Glastonbury continues to overdeliver with this Cabernet Shiraz blend that never ceases to impress.The 2022 signatory is Paul Midolo. Having worked his way through the business to finish as the Executive Director of Sales, Midolo's career seemed to continually change over a meal beside a Lazy Susan. It seems each time he was seated beside one, his role would take a turn for the better and so would his destination - be it Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney along the way. A mad Richmond supporter, he has dedicated nearly 30 years to the business and he is a more than worthy recipient of this great honour. The Signature 2022 carries a distinct cherry ripe character, and here we are again. That dark chocolate and cherry thing is absolutely delightful. A 51/49 blend of entirely Barossa fruit, blueberries and mulberries muse with raspberry rope, char and pan juices. Dried herbs, flashes of mint, some Bay leaf and an array of fine brown spices frame the palate with a plum density dripping from the mid-palate. Pillows of lacy tannins slowly melt away - brilliant! Slippery and incredibly delicious, this is another excellent release for a wine in the Yalumba range which I feel is very modestly priced. Go here. Drink to ten years+"

"There was no 2020 Signature made. The year was very hot, and the Cabernet Sauvignon wasn't in the condition that the winemaking team wanted for the Signature; that decision was made early-on in the season. The 2021 The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz is vibrant and fresh on the nose, and it leads with cassis, raspberry and pink peppercorns. It's alive and electric with flavor. 2021 was a lovely season in the Barossa: cool, mild and long, with very little climatic pressure to pick prior to when producers deemed the fruit ready. There are hints of strawberry, scraped vanilla pod, coffee grounds and star anise. I really like the aperture of this wine, with its definition, focus and freshness. 14.5% alcohol, total acidity 6.06, pH 3.63, sealed under natural cork.

"Tasted in an unlabelled bottle at Yalumba with Hill-Smith Family Estates chief winemaker Louisa Rose and sixth-generation Jessica Hill-Smith who assured me that only proprietor Robert Hill-Smith knew who that year's Signatory was until he made the announcement at the company Christmas party. For this vintage it was two: Yalumba's senior red winemaker Kevin 'KG' Glastonbury and former chief viticulturist Robin Nettelbeck, who retired in 2022 after 45 years with Yalumba. It's the quintessential Aussie red blend, the 52% Barossa Valley Cabernet and the Shiraz from both Barossa and Eden Valleys, from vines 45 to 100 years old, aged 19 months in French and Hungarian barriques and hogsheads, 25% new. The Signature is always a generously fruited, structured wine, but this cooler vintage has imbued it with juicy acidity that really lifts the blackcurrant, mint and violet perfume and adds great freshness and elegance to the concentrated palate. Supple tannins glide over the blackforest-like richness of cherry, chocolate and vanilla through to a long finish. A real stunner and great value for under £40." Drink 2023 - 2037