The 2006 Single Site Eden Valley Shiraz was made from the fruit of a vineyard planted in 1920. Medium-deep garnet-purple, it presents earthy / meaty notes and a medicinal character over dried cherries, mulberries, forest floor and hints of leather and stewed tea. Medium-bodied, it gives medium to high acidity and medium-firm grainy tannins, finishing long with notes of anise and cassia. It’s drinking nicely now and should cellar to 2018+. 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

(South Australia) Lifted nose of eucalyptus, blueberry, jam, herb and spice. Well balanced with a fine silky texture and red fruit. Good focus and savoury fruit. Very good.