Yalumba The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz 2021

The oldest vines used for this quintessential Barossa/Eden Valley Shiraz date back to the 1850s and the vines have an average of well over a century. The oak used comes from the Yalumba cooperage and includes a percentage which is new. Time in oak has been reduced from past years and the wine benefits from it. This is also from the superb 2021 vintage, making it as close to a slam dunk as one could wish. Under cork. Opaque maroon/purple, the nose does have lashings of high quality but well integrated oak. They sit comfortably with aromas of plums, cassis, chocolate, blackberries, coffee beans and mocha. The wine is supple, plush, dense, concentrated and immaculately balanced. So long, and yet the intensity is maintained for the full length, through to the finish with its furry tannins. An absolutely gorgeous Shiraz, which will sail through the next two decades.