Yalumba, 'The Signature' Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz, 2021

"There was no 2020 Signature made. The year was very hot, and the Cabernet Sauvignon wasn't in the condition that the winemaking team wanted for the Signature; that decision was made early-on in the season. The 2021 The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz is vibrant and fresh on the nose, and it leads with cassis, raspberry and pink peppercorns. It's alive and electric with flavor. 2021 was a lovely season in the Barossa: cool, mild and long, with very little climatic pressure to pick prior to when producers deemed the fruit ready. There are hints of strawberry, scraped vanilla pod, coffee grounds and star anise. I really like the aperture of this wine, with its definition, focus and freshness. 14.5% alcohol, total acidity 6.06, pH 3.63, sealed under natural cork."

"The 2021 Yalumba ‘The Signature’ Cabernet/Shiraz is grown up fare indeed, a blend of just over half Barossa Cabernet and just under half Barossa Shiraz. Each vintage of the ‘Signature’ celebrates a valued member of the Yalumba team and this, the ‘Signature’s’ 50th vintage, is in honour of Chris Gerhardy, a company stalwart of 50 years’ standing. It’s one heck of a wine – rich and juicy with dark cherry and plum, liquorice, spice and cassis. I reckon it’s got another 20-25 years in it although it lasted barely 20-25 minutes once Mrs R got hold of it, so well did it go with my homemade oxtail stew and mash."