Yalumba The Octavius Old Vine Barossa Shiraz 2020

One of the legendary Barossa Shiraz releases, this is a fine addition to the Octavius line-up. Vines used here date back to 1854 (the Eden Valley component), while the name comes from the tradition of using octaves from the Yalumba cooperage. The blend is 69% Eden Valley and 31% Barossa, giving an average age of a rather impressive 111 years. The wine will spend the best part of two years maturing in a mix of French oak vessels, around one-quarter new. Under cork. An opaque maroon with a purple rim. This is still tight and poised, very youthful. If circumstances permit, give it another three to four years in the bottle before opening (though it is already rather delicious), and then enjoy over the following fifteen to twenty. The nose is all chocolate, mocha, cassis, delicatessen meats, spices, herbs, sage and tobacco leaves. This is extremely well structured, seamless with a creamy texture, balance, length and abundant, silky tannins. There is really good intensity for the full journey. Great stuff and a wonderful climax to what is perhaps the finest collection of prestige wines I have seen from Yalumba.