Yalumba
Established in 1849, Yalumba is the oldest family-owned winery in Australia. Founded by Samuel Smith, in the heart of the Barossa, the Hill-Smith family has continued to run the business for six generations.
As a result of its continuity of family ownership, it has been able to foster long-term relationships with generational growers in the Barossa as well as maintaining estate vineyards in the Barossa and Coonawarra. Yalumba combines a long-standing track record and many of the values of Old World family-owned wineries with innovation and invention. It also proudly maintains its own vine nursery as well as the only operational, on-site winery cooperage in the Southern Hemisphere.
Robert Hill-Smith, fifth-generation, led Yalumba into the modern era and cemented Yalumba’s international reputation for quality, authenticity, excitement and integrity. Robert notably pioneered Viognier in Australia, making Yalumba one of the most distinguished Viognier producers in the world, with the flagship The Virgilius often regarded as an Australian benchmark. Yalumba has carved a reputation for the iconic Australian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz revered as “The Great Australian Red”. These reds, traditionally known as "Australian Clarets", have been a focus at Yalumba for more than a century. Robert often says: “The beauty of Cabernet Shiraz is that by and large you can’t compare it to anything, it is absolutely quintessentially Australian.” The Signature has been the flagship Barossa example since 1962 and is one of Australia’s most celebrated red wines. More recently, in 2017, Yalumba launched their most prestigious wine The Caley, a Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz "Super Claret", and the pinnacle of Yalumba’s winemaking journey of excellence.
-
The Real Review (99)
Good depth and hue of colour it's still purple-tinted at this age. The bouquet is fresh and bold, replete with forest-floor/mint and dried-herb nuances, while the palate is very powerful, concentrated, full-bodied and firmly constructed. Deep-set cassis fruit as well, still partially in hiding. This is a dense, power-packed cabernet-driven red with abundant tannins. Tremendously long finish. A magnificent wine, which has what it takes to age and reward cellaring for the long term. (80% Coonawarra cabernet, 20% Barossa shiraz)Inc. VAT£1,546.84 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
A stellar viognier. A wine that fans of the northern Rhone, such as myself, increasingly hold in great esteem. A complete understanding of the physiological tendencies of the variety is apparent: a salubrious texture. Unafraid of viscosity, weight and phenolics. Then, the aroma! Apricot, orange blossom, cumquat, honeysuckle and crystalline ginger. Long, slippery and yet not out of hand. A gentle chew and impeccable oak management reining it all in across the seams. Very fine.Inc. VAT£235.24
-
The Real Review (99)
Good depth and hue of colour it's still purple-tinted at this age. The bouquet is fresh and bold, replete with forest-floor/mint and dried-herb nuances, while the palate is very powerful, concentrated, full-bodied and firmly constructed. Deep-set cassis fruit as well, still partially in hiding. This is a dense, power-packed cabernet-driven red with abundant tannins. Tremendously long finish. A magnificent wine, which has what it takes to age and reward cellaring for the long term. (80% Coonawarra cabernet, 20% Barossa shiraz)In Bond£1,273.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
A stellar viognier. A wine that fans of the northern Rhone, such as myself, increasingly hold in great esteem. A complete understanding of the physiological tendencies of the variety is apparent: a salubrious texture. Unafraid of viscosity, weight and phenolics. Then, the aroma! Apricot, orange blossom, cumquat, honeysuckle and crystalline ginger. Long, slippery and yet not out of hand. A gentle chew and impeccable oak management reining it all in across the seams. Very fine.In Bond£180.00