2003 The Octavius Old Vines Shiraz
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Tasting notes
Deep ruby. Explosively perfumed nose features energetic blackberry, boysenberry and kirsch aromas underscored by suave graphite, licorice and violet. Deep and sweet, offering impressively concentrated but fresh dark berry flavors that reach every corner of the palate. Silky tannins add structure but don't detract from the lush, creamy fruit. This seems to carry endlessly through the finish, leaving behind a strong violet pastille quality.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Halliday
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
A renowned Barossa icon is Yalumba’s Shiraz The Octavius. The 2003 is a 100% Shiraz aged 22 months in a combination of American barrels (coopered at Yalumba) and French 300 liter hogsheads. This beauty offers up aromas of sweet blueberries, black truffles, blackberries, melted road tar, pepper, and espresso roast. Full-bodied, powerful, and rich, with sweet tannin, decent acidity, and a superb finish, this is a wine to drink over the next 15 or more years. Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
In hallmark Octavius style, immensely powerful and deep, with chunky black fruits, yet not extractive and with no porty/jammy characters. Gold medal National Wine Show '06. Nov 2006, www.winecompanion.com.au
A renowned Barossa icon is Yalumba’s Shiraz The Octavius. The 2003 is a 100% Shiraz aged 22 months in a combination of American barrels (coopered at Yalumba) and French 300 liter hogsheads. This beauty offers up aromas of sweet blueberries, black truffles, blackberries, melted road tar, pepper, and espresso roast. Full-bodied, powerful, and rich, with sweet tannin, decent acidity, and a superb finish, this is a wine to drink over the next 15 or more years. Oct 2006, www.robertparker.com, Drink: 2006-2021
About the producer

Based in the tiny village of Angaston in the Barossa, South Australia, Yalumba is the country's oldest family-owned winery. The estate produces a broad range of wines from entry-level to ultra-premium, such as The Caley.