Yalumba The Caley Cabernet Shiraz 2015

The 2015 is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Ming D block in the Yalumba Coonawarra vineyard and 26% Shiraz sourced from the Horseshoe Vineyard and the Burgemeister 'Linke' block in the Barossa. Matured for 21 months in 46% new French barriques, balance in 2 year and older French barriques.

The Caley is a showcase of expressive and indulgent winemaking. Notes of blackcurrant and dark cherry with cool iodine notes merging into savoury, leafy hints. Followed by a composed and inviting body of red fruit with a silky tannic profile.

Critics thoughts - This is a great vintage for this wine with a very fresh, attractive delivery in a full-bodied style. Ripe red plums, blackberries and cherries with a cedary, tobacco edge, purple olives and fruit-steeped roasting herbs. It has a very intense, crisply cut palate that has flavors of dark cherries, blackberries, chocolate and such attractive spice complexity. Runs long on the focused finish. Regal. A great Caley. A blend of 74% Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon and 26% Barossa shiraz. Try from 2023.  98 points JamesSuckling.com

Deep red/purple colour, with a mossy undergrowth, 'forest floor' kind of bouquet, embellished by well-seasoned toasty oak, lots of cedar and cigarbox nuances, too. The wine is very full-bodied and concentrated, with a powerful, driving palate, loaded with tannin and grip. Some tapenade and olivaceous notes, the tannins lasting the full length of the palate and helping extend its very long aftertaste. Blackberry, cranberry flavours linger long throughout the aftertaste. A stonking cabernet shiraz with great potential - but also marvellous to drink now.  97 points  Huon Hooke