Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon Museum Release 2016

96 POINTS

Anne Krebiehl MW - Falstaff

A lovely, pure, bright note of crushed blueberry rises from the glass, edged with just a dusting of cinnamon. More air only intensifies these highly aromatic notions that are present with the same expressive intensity on the beautifully pure and fresh palate. The tannins are elegant, fine, resolved. The body is sinuous, smooth, fresh. This exemplifies why Cabernet and Coonawarra were made for each other. The finesse is spellbinding.

95 POINTS

Ned Goodwin - Halliday Wine Companion

Long an icon across my memory bank, as well as it still serves me: from my early days in retail to time in New York as a sommelier and even Paris, where it appeared momentarily on the list at Willie's. A seminal moment when Australian wine got a look in. And now? Classic. In an Australian sense. Lightened up over the years in terms of the oak, but the forcefield of graphite-bitter-chocolate-bouquet grain tannins is the driver. Long. Mulch, red and blackcurrant scents and a swab of olive linger. This is very good, auguring for a long life.

95 POINTS

Christina Pickard - Wine Enthusiast

From vines planted in 1975 on Coonawarra's distinctive terra rossa soil, this vintage of Menzies is aromatic and spicy, showing a touch of bottle age. There're layers of aromas, from plum preserves and cherry cordial to menthol, bay leaf, vanilla bean and mushroom. The palate is evolving beautifully, the silky fruit knitted with raspy and taut but fine tannins. Drink now with fatty cured meat or until 2030.

94 POINTS

James Suckling

This has attractive notes of spiced currants, blueberries, chocolate and violets. The palate has a taut feel with a composed, dense and slightly creamy edge to the fresh, fine and long tannins. This is a very fresh, youthful and focused expression of classic cabernet sauvignon. All here.

94 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2016 The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon is very good. A savory, complex, herbal and full throttle Cabernet, it has svelte elegance and tannic swagger in equal measure. This is very licorice-y in its expression, with salted raspberry, mulberry, aniseed and clove to close. Smart. It matured in a combination of French and Hungarian hogsheads for 22 months. The portion of Hungarian oak may help to explain some of the subtle, slightly offbeat spice characters through the finish. Sealed under natural cork.

92 POINTS

2022 - Decanter World Wine Awards

Good berry fruit flavours, with violets, spice and savoury notes on the mid palate. Spiciness, vanilla and nice acidity on the finish holds the freshness. Award: Silver - DWWA 2022

Decanter

Sweet plummy fruit with black tea and earthy undertones. Ripe and opulent with firm tannins. Judges: Sarah Ahmed, Justin Knock MW, Julia Sewell