2019 The Octavius

Auslieferung im Frühjahr 2025!
Delivery in spring 2025!

To celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Hill-Smith family at Yalumba, they are releasing an extremely limited number of the 2009 from their 'museum collection'. The silky smooth tannins, and the balsamic, liquorice and eucalyptus edge set this wonderful Shiraz apart. Clarity of black fruit expression clear even at 15 years old, with charred sandalwood, cracked pepper and vanilla bean adding nuance. It won't be easy to get hold of this one, but if you do, you are in for a treat. Harvest 24 February to 6 April, first released January 2005. Aged in French and American oak barrels, 39% new, and a touch of Hungarian oak also. Old vine Shiraz, with a key section ungrafted from 1920, from Barossa and Eden Valley. Winemaker Kevin Glastonbury.
98/100 Jane Anson

(Barossa Valley; 100% old vine Shiraz; aged in 100 litre French and American oak octaves; pH 3.56; 14.5% alcohol). Fresh, quite bright and lifted, with a lot of sweet baking spices accompanying the meaty, gamey, charcuterie and plum and dark berry fruits. Frangipane. Full, plump and plush, quite chewy with a lot of mid-palate matter and substance. A little incense, those sweet spices, assorted crushed peppercorns – red and black – and a little liquorice and grated dark chocolate. Grainy, fine-grained tannins pinch to release the fantail on the finish which is fresh, sapid and mentholated.
96/100 Colin Hay; The Drinks Business

Medium deep crimson. Intense inky, blackberry, black cherry, dark chocolate, chinotto aromas with marzipan vanilla hint oatmeal notes. Beautifully balanced and generously proportioned wine with ample inky, pure blackberry fruits, hint of sage, supple chocolaty firm tannins and underlying praline, mocha, marzipan, roasted chestnut notes. Finishes chocolaty firm and long. A classical Barossa Shiraz style with the volume and sinuous structure to last the distance. 19 months maturation in 25% new French oak barriques and hogshead. The balance in seasoned French oak hogsheads and octaves. Drink 2030 – 2048+
97/100 Andrew Caillard MW