Yalumba The Signature, 2018

From the first vines planted in 1849, Yalumba has been at the forefront of every turning point in Australian wine history, helping to forge Australia's enviable wine culture from table wines to those that sit proudly amongst the finest wines of the world. The heart of Yalumba's legacy remains its iconic blends of Cabernet and Shiraz, for decades led by the acclaimed The Signature, FDR1A, and most recently The Caley — an extraordinary union of Coonawarra Cabernet and Barossa Shiraz. With ancient vines sustained by the world's oldest soils and enriched by the craftsmanship of generations, Yalumba is writing the next chapter in Australia's fine wine story — a future for the wine world that thrives with authenticity, diversity, and distinction.

Grape / Blend | 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Shiraz

Origin | Barossa Valley, Australia

Tasting Notes | An impressive star of the 2018 vintage. Medium deep, dense, red in colour. Cool, fresh aromas of perfumed mints, blueberry, small red berries and red spicy cedar notes. Some leafy aromatics appear as the wine opens up over time. A refined and complex palate that is delightfully fresh with seamlessly integrated oak. Generous red berry fruit is wrapped in finely honed tannins. A medium to full bodied wine with a long, flowing tannin profile. A very refined Signature.

Food Pairings | Pairs beautifully with slow cooked beef fillet, potatoes, charred beetroot and horseradish or a West Indian spiced aubergine curry. Also excellent with a vegan BBQ pinto bean burger patty with mushrooms, soy sauce, black pepper and molasses.

Ratings

96 Points - Wine Advocate: Ideal vintage conditions set the stage for this impressive blend – worth waiting for after no Signature was released in 2017. Polished and showy from the off, it exudes concentrated, ripe red plum and boysenberry aromas, with a whiff of vanilla and cedar. There's a caramel oak sweetness on the palate, like a plush velvet-textured cloak over dense, herbal bramble fruit, supported by fine chocolatey tannins and balancing acidity. Vibrant yet forceful.

95 Points - Decanter: Inviting aromas of blackcurrant, sliced plum, graphite, crushed stone and bark. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Structured and elegant, with a bevy of red and black fruit washing over the palate with steady intensity. Subtle baking-spice complexity and some oak is laced into the solid core of fruit. Long.

96 Points - Australian Wine Companion: Since its first release in 1962, The Signature has been Yalumba's deep dive into the classic Australian blend from the Barossa and one that honors the people who have enhanced the traditions and culture of Yalumba. There is a resonance and depth to this release that I really like. Wonderfully pure and concentrated blackberry and plum fruits, layered with spice, dark chocolate, earth, cedar and oak nuance. Succulent and sinewy in the mouth, it flexes considerable muscle, yet remains purely fruited and approachable even at this stage of its evolution. Rich and balanced with fine, ripe tannin and plenty of energy for such depth of fruit. Lovely.

Heritage | Encompassing everything Yalumba stands for and the perfect representation of its history and ethos, The Signature is a sentimental favorite. A classic Australian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, the first vintage release of The Signature was in 1962. Since then, this outstanding wine has acknowledged more than 57 Signatories, with each vintage named in honor of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the culture and traditions of Yalumba.

Vineyard & Production Info

• Vineyard name: Multiple Vineyards
• Soil composition: Barossa Vineyards with sandy loam, featuring yellow sand and ochre clay over red clay
• Elevation: 300-1,500 feet
• Average Vine Age: 35 years
• Certifying Organizations: ISO14001; Entwine Australia
• Sustainability Certification: EPA Accredited Sustainability License

Winemaking & Aging

• Prefermentation Technique: 1-3 days on skins pre fermentation before wild yeast start to ferment
• Varietal composition: 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Shiraz
• Fermentation container: Stainless steel tanks
• Malolactic fermentation: Yes
• Fining agent: Vegan
• Type of aging container: Barriques and Hogsheads
• Type of oak: French, Hungarian and American
• Length of aging before bottling: 21 months
• Age of Aging Container: 28% New
• Total SO2: 87

Analytical Data

• pH level: 3.63
• Acidity: 6.06 g/L
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Residual sugar: 0.5 g/L

Sustainable & Vegan

This premium wine is both sustainably produced and vegan-friendly, crafted with respect for the environment and without animal-derived products.