YALUMBA THE OCTAVIUS SHIRAZ 2017

Yalumba The Octavius has established a reputation as one of Australia's icon Shiraz wines, an amazing feat considering the first release was the 1990 vintage.

Sourced 71% from Barossa Valley and 29% from Eden Valley fruit with an average vine age of 82 years, the Octavius is one of Australia's iconic Shiraz. The style has evolved – no longer is 'oaktavius' appropriate. Whilst the small oak 'octaves' are used for fermentation, there is much less American oak​ along with the realisation that the fruit needs to be of the quality and concentration to absorb the oak. This is everything you'd expect from top quality Barossa Shiraz (without the exorbitant price tag). Whilst not cheap, in context this represents great value. There is complexity plus; with layers of flavours – tick, balance – tick, concentration – tick, deliciousness – tick.

Winery notes (2017 Vintage)
"A flagship Shiraz born of treasured, old vines dating back to 1854, these are some of the oldest Shiraz plantings in the world. Matured in Yalumba coopered oak octaves; the inspiration behind the name of this fine, Barossa wine.

Deep red in colour with purple hues. Alluring aromas of spicy perfume, fresh lifted red cherry florals, blueberries, blackberries and dark plums entwined in cocoa powder and savoury notes. A deliciously complex palate with textural concentration and a rich core of currants, blue and black fruits wrapped in long, seamless, elegantly refined tannins.

Fruit for this wine is sourced from six vineyards across the Barossa, the oldest parcel of Shiraz is gently hand-picked from Eden Valley vines planted in 1854. With an average vine age of 82 years, 71% of this Shiraz is sourced from the Barossa Valley and 29% from Eden Valley. Barossa Valley Shiraz provides richness, density and concentration, while Eden Valley Shiraz provides the exotic aromatics and seamless palate structure."

94/100 qwinereviews.com (2017 Vintage)
"Yalumba's flagship Shiraz. Long and moreish, this Octavius is best suited for those late night D&Ms. Sip slow and stay a while. Named after the octaves that it spends time in for 23 months, these specially coopered eight-sided barrels are what make this Shiraz unique. The majority of fruit comes from the Barossa with the balance from the Eden Valley.

Generous without question, mulberries, blueberries and sheets of spice unfurl with ease and seek your attention. The oak plays its hand but it does not have the clout to land a knockout blow – be rest assured. Although it is a 2017 release, there are plenty of years in the bag. Some chocolate and vanilla nuances add layers of interest leading to a long and moreish finish. A day on it softens and simply glides through the mouth. Persistent with fabulous concentration, the soft baking spice tease hits the mark. Well played here from the masterful Kevin Glastonbury."

Reviews for the 2016 vintage below…

96/100 Decanter (2016 Vintage)
"This blend of Barossa Valley (67%) and Eden Valley fruit hails from five parcels averaging 80 years old, the oldest planted in 1854. Intensely concentrated in hue and muscular flavour. Spicy and mineral to the nose and palate, with glimpses of violets. Its iodine and liquorice-edged black cherry and blueberry flavour is succulent, but still in the grip of the sinewy, charry oak, making for an imposing, slightly austere finish. A powerhouse."

95/100 James Suckling (2016 Vintage)
"There’s a stronger Barossa Valley expression in 2016 with ripe blackberry and dark-plum flavors delivering a very pure, focused fruit impression. Vibrant fruit purity here. The palate has gently grainy tannins and good weight. Fresh, succulent dark berries and an impressive, deep, driving finish. A blend of Barossa Valley 67% and Eden Valley 33 shiraz from very old vines. Drink or hold."

94/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2016 Vintage)
"For a wine named for the 90-liter barrels it was originally matured in, Yalumba's 2016 The Octavius displays relatively restrained oak. This vintage, only 50% of the volume aged in those small octaves for 20 months, with the rest in a mix of barriques and hogsheads (a mix of French and American), all of which were coopered at the winery—but only 28% of which were new. Cedar and vanilla notes accent mixed berries on the nose of this full-bodied effort, which comes from the Barossa (two-thirds) and Eden Valleys (one-third). Rich and velvety on the palate, it adds hints of dried spices, juniper berries and bay leaves on the long finish. The youngest vines were planted in 1951, the oldest in 1854."

93+/100 Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, May 2021 (2016 Vintage)
"Scents of booze-soaked forest berries, dark chocolate, pot pourri, clove and faint coconut. Powerful and deep flavours, dark-chocolate-coconut flavours with palate-staining blackberry, fig and date flavours, cinnamon spice. Lush but long wine, intense and yet shows good energy. Slippery and full. Warmth and wood a thing here, but in its style the integration and charisma works in its favour. Intense. Powerful. Hold onto your hats. Done well."