Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz (Museum Release) 2014

97 POINTS

Andrew Caillard MW

Very well-balanced wine with lovely density, richness and volume. At a very good stage of development but should continue to mature evenly for years to come.

96 POINTS

Sam Kim - Wine Orbit

Sourced from 25-plus vineyards, the latest offering of this iconic label shows blackberry, spiced plum, cake spice, cigar and cedar characters on the nose, leading to a concentrated and richly expressed palate that is both powerful and refined. It is abundantly fruited and opulently textured, so approachable, yet firmly structured by loads of fine, chalky tannins, finishing impressively long and formidable.

96 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion

Matured for 20 months in French, Hungarian and American oak. This ticks all the boxes, a rock of ages in the storm of Yalumba reds coming onto the market, led by The Cayley, but numerous others seeking your company. The blackcurrant and blackberry fruit are in total harmony, and the overall texture is of a high order thanks to the oak management, as well as that of the tannins. A standout from a vintage that had its challenges.

96 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

Cabernet Sauvignon and shiraz, matured for 21 months in French, Hungarian and American oak, 32% new (though none of the American oak was new). You’d imagine, given Yalumba’s history and facilities, that all the oak was Australian coopered. Pitch perfect on the nose, palate and finish. This is in superb form. Berried, chocolatey, laced with licorice, scattered with dry, fragrant herbs and topped with pure coffee-like flavour. It feels both alive and dense, it’s scaffolded by an assertive range of tannin, it’s lifted by mint-like tips, and it reaches far through the finish/aftertaste. Perfect red for the cellar.

95 POINTS

Sarah Ahmed - Decanter

This Barossa classic – the 56th release - honours loyalty and contribution. In a tricky vintage, it discharges its duty admirably. The 57% Cabernet stamps its authority, from the minty, inky, floral nose to the dried-herb-edged dark currant and berry palate. Juicier notes of blood plum come through, with finely textured, mille feuille tannins which make for a poised, persistent finish. This spent 21 months in French, Hungarian and American barriques and hogsheads, 32% new. Polished and steadfast.

95 POINTS

Jeremy Oliver

More elegant, deftly oaked and restrained, this long and fine-grained cabernet shiraz marries spicy notes of small red, black and blue berries with fresh cedary oak. Underpinned by loose-knit supple tannins, it’s opulent, smooth and explosively fruited, but becomes more shapely and gentle down the palate. Very much the future for the Barossa.

95 POINTS

David Sly - Decanter

With a shade more Cabernet Sauvignon (57%) featured from a longer, cooler vintage, this version of The Signature is entering its glory years. Matured for 21 months in 32% new French barriques and Hungarian hogsheads, with the remainder in older French, Hungarian and American barrels, this has an elegantly sculpted palate defined by savoury tannins and a proud acid line. Complex aromas and flavours of liquorice, coffee and olive make a striking combination with the rich berry compote, achieving richness and generous length without losing focus.