2018 Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

A classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz first produced in 1962, Yalumba’s Signature pays homage each vintage to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the culture and traditions of Yalumba. The 2018 vintage’s signatory is outgoing managing director Nick Waterman.
A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Shiraz maturation took place in a combination of French barriques, American and Hungarian hogsheads (33% of which was new oak) for a period of 21 months.
Black as night at its core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Singing from the glass are notes of ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and liquorice which marry into vanillin cedar, earth, subtle tobacco and spicy dried herb notes. Rich and powerful yet controlled and possessing a sense of refinement the full bodied palate is blessed with opulent blackcurrant, blackberry and liquorice fruits. Sitting in the background is vanillin cedar, earthy tobacco, traces of dark chocolate and spicy dried herb characters. There’s an underlying firmness to the tannin structure yet it is beautifully interwoven with the wealth of fruit. Superb depth and concentration finishing long, generous and sophisticated.
Cellar 10-15 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
Since its first release in 1962, The Signature has been Yalumba's deep dive into the classic Australian blend from the Barossa and one that honors the people who have enhanced the traditions and culture of Yalumba. There is a resonance and depth to this release that I really like. Wonderfully pure and concentrated blackberry and plum fruits, layered with spice, dark chocolate, earth, cedar and oak nuance. Succulent and sinewy in the mouth, it flexes considerable muscle, yet remains purely fruited and approachable even at this stage of its evolution. Rich and balanced with fine, ripe tannin and plenty of energy for such depth of fruit. Lovely. Drink by 2050.
96 points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

Yalumba has been making its ‘Signature’ red since the early 1960s.
This release is an exercise in richness. It’s thick with flavour, smooth-skinned, intense and creamy. Blackberry and saturated plum, blackcurrant and vanilla, a mere semblance of dried herbs and some toasted cedar. There’s a lot of oak here, more than I was expecting, but then there’s more fruit too, and enough tannin to lock it all into place. This is a substantial red in every way, built to last, sweet-accented, full-bodied, commanding. Drink 2025-2038+
95 points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front