Yalumba Octavius 2019

Product info about Yalumba Octavius 2019

Yalumba Octavius 2019 is a Barossa Shiraz with a strong sense of place. It belongs to Yalumba's Rare & Fine range and is made from old-vine Shiraz drawn from five key Barossa vineyards. The blend brings together 55% Eden Valley and 45% Barossa Valley, with Eden Valley contributing aromatics and structure, and Barossa Valley adding richness, density and concentration.

The age of the vines is central to the identity of this wine. Yalumba gives an average vine age of 104 years, with the oldest Eden Valley parcel planted in 1854. That old-vine background supports the wine's depth and firmness, giving it more than simple Barossa power.

The name The Octavius refers to the small 100-litre octave barrels made in Yalumba's own cooperage. For the 2019 vintage, the wine matured for 19 months in French oak, including 25% new French oak in hogsheads and barriques, with the rest in one-year-old and older French octaves and barriques. The oak is part of the wine's signature, adding shape and detail around the dark Shiraz fruit.

At Drankenshop Broekmans, Yalumba Octavius 2019 sits among the wines we like to introduce when customers are looking for a full-bodied Australian red with structure, depth and cellar potential. The 2019 season brought lower yields after frost, hail and wind around flowering, followed by a mild, dry growing season, and that concentration is clearly reflected in the wine's style. With only the last bottles remaining, this is a bottle to open with attention, preferably after double decanting as Yalumba recommends.

Yalumba Octavius 2019 shows a medium-deep to deep ruby-crimson colour. The aroma is dark and layered, with dark plum, black cherry, blackberry and cassis, followed by violet, black pepper, sage and liquorice. The oak influence brings notes of chocolate, praline, vanilla, ginger, roasted nuts, cedar and mocha, with some tasting notes also pointing to graphite, anise, rosemary, olive stone, tar and campfire smoke.

On the palate it is full-bodied, powerful and concentrated. Dark berry fruit, cassis, blackberry and black cherry sit alongside spice, chocolate and clearly present yet integrated French oak. The tannins are firm, fine and muscular, at times giving a chocolate-like impression, while fresh acidity keeps the wine structured. The finish is long, dry, firmly built and tannin-rich.