YALUMBA THE CIGAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021

From the Menzies vineyard and named after the Coonawarra region’s cigar-shaped strip of red terra rossa soil. Inky dark in colour the flavours run deep in this wine, with cassis and mocha. This is quite simply, a great Coonawarra Cabernet from an excellent vintage.

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"The Cigar is a name coined by Coonawarra Vignerons to describe the region’s unique cigar-shaped strip of rich red terra rossa soil. Home to some of Australia’s most famous vineyards, the secret of Coonawarra lies in the intimate bond between the terra rossa soil, limestone layers, pure artisan water and a long, cool ripening season. Fortunate to be part of this iconic place, Yalumba salutes the region’s pioneers and those privileged to inherit its future.

The Menzies Vineyard, Yalumba’s premium Cabernet Sauvignon estate, was established in the world-famous region of Coonawarra in 1975. The terroir is defined by red brown earth over limestone, perfect for growing grapes for full-bodied, structured red wine.

Magenta in colour with a full depth hue. The aroma is a delightful mix of mulberries and violets with a hint of rhubarb. An opulent mix of warm berry compote, juicy dark red plums, dark chocolate and cloves with a hint of nutmeg. The finish is long and lingering with mouth watering tannins."

95/100 Shanteh Wale, James Halliday's Wine Companion, August 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Matured for 16 months in new French oak barriques and hogsheads (17%), the balance in one-year and older French oak barriques and hogsheads. Blackberries pulled from the vine, dark cherries and dried olives. Tahitian vanilla, roasted coffee beans and fruit-and-nut chocolate. Compact boysenberries on the palate with a slew of fruit sweetness cut by caraway seed, allspice and pepper. A sappy succulence to the wine. It's all class and a fine wine indeed."

Rated Outstanding & 95/100 Cameron Douglas MS, October 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Opaque with a core of dark purple with a ruby rim leads to a bouquet of complexity and power, baking spices and roasted berry fruits, cacao and cinnamon, violets and a nutty-rich layer of smoky barrel. Dry, complex, powerful and delicious, a wine of texture and flavour, mouthfeel and style. Flavours of dark berries and baking spices wrapped in a flourish of tannins and acidity both adding a tautness and complexity. Well made, lengthy and classic from Yalumba. Best drinking from day or purchase through 2038."

5 Stars & 94/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, September 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Gorgeously complex and enticing, the bouquet shows cassis, tobacco, warm spice and cedar characters, leading to a concentrated palate delivering refined texture, backed by finely infused tannins, finishing structured and persistent. At its best: now to 2033."

5 Stars & Top 10 Cuisine NZ & International Bordeaux Style Reds, July 2025 (2021 Vintage)
"Deeply coloured with hints of development, this wine is complex and intense with cassis, mocha and toasted spice in the nose. The palate boasts warm rich plum with rounded tannins and an acid structure that gives the wine wonderful linearity and impressive length."

93/100 Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review, December 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Dark purple. An intense, varietal nose of crunchy blackcurrant, cedar and oak with firm, mineral graphite notes leads to classic cabernet flavours with a touch of tobacco leaf. Compact and densely concentrated, the palate has noticeable alcoholic warmth before firmly structured but ripe tannins build towards the finish. Long, intense and singular in purpose, this young wine speaks of both variety and place with a long life ahead."