Yalumba The Caley Cabernet Shiraz 2014

Established in 1849, Yalumba is undoubtedly Australia’s most historic family owned wine company. It remains fiercely independent and progressive through the generational ownership by the Hill-Smith family. Today it is lead by Robert Hill-Smith, fifth generation & chairman. Yalumba has a long commitment to quality and possess incredible foresight in its selection of vineyard sites, new varieties and brands. Interestingly they operate the southern hemisphere’s only fully operational Cooperage, crafting bespoke oak barrels that elevate the wines aged within them. Their nursery is a global leader in wine innovation, growing, evaluating and supplying quality grape vines to the Australian wine industry. Yalumba shares the best of what Barossa and South Australia has to offer. While the Barossa is home base, they draw on the varied climates and soil types across South Australia to make wines grown in some of the country’s finest wine regions. Barossa is arguably the single most famous wine region in Australia, comprised of Barossa Valley and Eden Valley, making it one of the only areas in Australia to have neighbouring warm and cool climate growing conditions. Yalumba is privileged to have access to some of the oldest vineyards in the world in Barossa Valley, including 1889 bush vine Grenache and 1908 Shiraz. The Coonawarra estate is on prized terra rossa soil known as The Menzies Vineyard growing predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The Caley is the pinnacle of a long winemaking journey of excellence, that rightfully honours Yalumba’s most adventurous son, Fred Caley Smith. A blend of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Barossa Shiraz, The Caley is a classic marriage of two noble varieties and two great Australian wine regions. The Caley has been sourced from three outstanding vineyards in the Coonawarra and Barossa regions. The D block of the Yalumba Coonawarra vineyard provides 82% of the Cabernet Sauvignon of the blend. This 2.7ha plot was planted in 1992 with clones of Cabernet Sauvignon selected for structure and depth of flavour. This block differs from the ubiquitous Coonawarra terroir, with a higher content of clay than the other blocks on The Menzies Estate. The Caley’s 18% Shiraz component was sourced from two Barossa blocks. The first from the Crown Village old Shiraz vineyard planted in 1974, located on Krondorf road in the foothills of the eastern Barossa ranges. The second block is the Horseshoe Vineyard, found on the southern side of the Yalumba winery in Eden Valley. This block, planted by Helen Hill-Smith in 1971, follows the contours around the Fred Caley Smith Hut. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz parcels were fermented separately, using wild yeasts to initiate fermentation and contribute complexity, richness and fine texture. Cultured winery yeast was then added to complete fermentation. Gentle plunging of the skins was undertaken to achieve the right balance of colour, tannin and phenolic extraction. The Caley was matured for 20 months in 40% new French barriques with the balance in seasoned French barriques. The barrels were all crafted and seasoned at the Yalumba Cooperage. Once bottled on 20th January 2016, the wine was cellared for a further 36 months and released in July 2019. On cellaring, this wine is built spend many years in the cellar. The Caley takes time to reveal its true character. The wine will drink beautifully in 5-30 years plus. Nose – Mint, Cassis, New Leather Bright, intriguing, fine and complex aromas. A touch of currants, leaf and herb followed by cool, fresh spices, iodine and cedar. Palate – Truffle, Cedar, Plush Dark Fruits A mouthful of richness, approachable, layered and deep, yet with cool with a line of Coonawarra peppermint. Finish – Cocoa, Considerable Length, Fine Tannin The acidity and fine tannins show their support and precision, superb length. It falls safe into the hands of excellence, It has the shape, complexity, fruit power, overall balance and then the length to make its price look justifiable. It’s going to age like an absolute beauty. Both intricate and firm tannins, ripped with blackcurrant, lightened by mint and slipped with undergrowth and cedar wood character. Nothing is overdone and yet everything has a presence, a power. Cork. Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion 2020 – Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion 2020, 97 Points. 2014 The Caley 14%: “The odd year, I guess”, quips KG, “2014 was shaping up to be pretty good but some rainfall in February really slowed things down, but the end result was a wine of depth and power, particularly in the last few years”. It’s 82% Coonawarra cabernet, 18% Barossa shiraz. It screams Coonawarra cabernet but with added dimension. Epic. Scents of blueberries, cassis, mint, eucalyptus, dried leaves, new leather.