2016 The Caley Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Caley is stunning and makes an impressive showing alongside vintages back to 2012 with standout elegance and precision, as well as for the obvious promise for future development that tasting older vintages suggests. The 2016 has laser sharp notes on the nose of sweet, dark berry fruit, alongside fresh, minty herbs and violet florals and a deep, compelling mineral profile, with hints of tobacco and dark chocolate shavings on the finish. It is precise and refined yet luscious through the mid-palate, never losing that focus of the perfectly ripe fruit and well-judged winemaking. Super confident, yet not in anyway overblown, this is elegance through and through.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
71% Coonawarra Cabernet, 29% Barossa Shiraz. Matured for 21 months in 25% new French barriques, balance in 2-year-old and older French barriques and hogsheads. Deep crimson. Very dense. Very heady. Rich and full and opulent. Very flattering. And then a bit dry on the end. Lots of energy. A wine with drive and a real line! (JR)
The 2016 The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz is sourced from both Coonawarra and the Barossa (Cabernet from Coonawarra, Shiraz from Barossa), and is an elegant if old-school rendition of the classic Australian blend. Cassis, milk chocolate, licorice, raspberry, black olive brine, bramble and spice combine to bring about a harmonious, tranquil wine. The tannins are fully entrenched into the fruit, cushioned and disguised from view from all angles. This is a satisfying, plush wine with layers of fruit and velvety tannin. It will age very well.
Inky ruby. Highly expressive, spice-accented black and blue fruit preserves, incense, vanilla and pipe tobacco qualities on the nose, with cedary oak and spice note emerging with aeration. Offers palate-staining cherry liqueur, blackcurrant and fruitcake flavors that are braced and sharpened by a spine of smoky minerality. Gains weight with air while retaining vivacity and finishes gently sweet and extremely long, with slow-mounting, polished tannins adding framework and final grip.
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.