Yalumba Barossa Valley The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz 2009

To celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Hill-Smith family at Yalumba, they are releasing an extremely limited number of the 2009 from their ‘museum collection’. The silky smooth tannins, and the balsamic, liquorice and eucalyptus edge set this wonderful Shiraz apart. Clarity of black fruit expression clear even at 15 years old, with charred sandalwood, cracked pepper and vanilla bean adding nuance. It won’t be easy to get hold of this one, but if you do, you are in for a treat. Harvest 24 February to 6 April, first released January 2005. Aged in French and American oak barrels, 39% new, and a touch of Hungarian oak also. Old vine Shiraz, with a key section ungrafted from 1920, from Barossa and Eden Valley. Winemaker Kevin Glastonbury.