Co-fermented with 3% Viognier, the 2008 Shiraz Viognier displays a deep garnet-purple color and pronounced blackberry and dried leave aromas with a touch of baked fruit, some earth and a whiff of anise. Medium-bodied with medium-firm grainy tannins, it has high acidity and plenty of warm berry fruit in the mouth, finishing long. Drink it now to 2015. Remaining one of Australia’s oldest, largest and most prestigious family owned companies, Yalumba’s top wines should not be overlooked amongst the limelight-hogging young-gun wines that have sprung-up around the Barossa in the last 20 years. Some of the region’s finest vineyards are owned or contracted by this company. They’ve also contributed considerably to the quality of vine material available throughout the region with the impressive developments at the Yalumba nursery. Regarding the current releases, The Signature and Octavius won’t be released in 2007. I was informed that in 2008 all their reds were picked before the first week of March but there were no single site wines made in 2008 because it was felt the fruit wasn’t expressing the sites. 2009 was a good year and everything will be released, though winemaker Louisa Rose confessed that their early maturing Shiraz suffered the most in the 2009 heat spike.Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993

This is the midlevel entry in Yalumba’s Shiraz-Viognier range, slotting in above the Y Series but below the Hand Picked. It’s a medium-bodied, slightly creamy-textured wine, with prominent green olive and peppercorn nuances to its plummy flavors. It fades a little on the finish, so drink now–2013. ——J.C.(11/1/2011)—— 86