2008 Yalumba Shiraz Octavius
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Tasting notes
41% Eden Valley, 59% Barossa Valley . Same vineyards and winemaking as the 2018. Matured for 20 months in 30% new French and American octaves, 24% 1-year-old French barriques and hogsheads, American hogsheads and Hungarian hogsheads, balance in older French, American and Hungarian barrels. Deep brick red. The first bottle seemed to be tiring a little but the second bottle is much fresher. Sweet tobacco, black olives, dried fruit but not raisined. Thick, chewy, still youthful and fresh and definitely needs food. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
This is a selection rather than the produce of a single vineyard. 59% Barossa, 41% Eden Valley. Average year of planting vines is 1914. Matured for 20 months in oak of varied age, source and size. Slightly greyish crimson. Briary nose. Chewy finish. Long and savoury. Much more obvious acidity than in the 2012. (JR)
Throbbing with life and undercurrents. Well done! Very South Australian but not heavy and it tastes as though it has been made without artifice. Warm. Intense, rich – sweetness and tar but not in excess. (JR)
Bright purple. Sexy black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by vanilla, sandalwood and olive paste. Smoky cassis and blueberry liqueur flavors are sharpened by zesty acidity and given depth by notes of licorice and dark chocolate. Gains sweetness and spiciness with air, finishing on a powerful blackberry note, with slow-building, harmonious tannins and striking persistence. Fifty-nine percent of this fruit was grown in Barossa Valley and the rest in Eden Valley.
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.