Yalumba will release its icon wine The Caley on June 1. The 2018 is the sixth vintage of the Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon and Barossa shiraz blend.
Since the inaugural release of The Caley in 2018 we've seen the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and now the 2018 vintage.
We were lucky enough to experience the evolution of The Caley during a vertical tasting of each vintage. The preview was led by Yalumba winemaker Kevin 'KG' Glastonbury, at Melbourne's Society Restaurant, who recalls 2018 as a strong, vibrant vintage.
"It delivered a superb and balanced crop with good canopies. An extended ripening period allowed us to get perfect flavour development without having to rush. The Caley 2018 exemplifies the blend of Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon and Barossa shiraz – showing beautifully defined aromatics, richness and concentration."
KG joined Yalumba in 1999, and has been the captain of The Caley for the past 11 years. In its short but successful history, The Caley has developed a keen following. KG says it wasn't until three years into The Caley's journey that the wine had a label, package and pricepoint.
Kevin says the winemaking and ethos is relatively simple. "We're just trying to make the best wine we can." He says it was the story and the entire package of The Caley that has set the future direction for the wine. "The journey will keep going and the wine will continue to evolve."
2018 Yalumba The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz
Very deep, dense red. Showcasing expressive, fragrant aromatics of blackcurrant and dark cherry with cool iodine notes merging into savoury, leafy hints, all typical Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon. A defined, composed and very inviting wine with succulent shiraz throughout. Medium to full depth with a densely layered structure delivering a prominent yet silky tannin profile. Matured for 20 months in 38 per cent new French barriques, balance in one year and older French barriques. 80 per cent Coonawarra cabernet, 20 per cent Barossa shiraz.RRP $365 | Drink to 2053
The 2018 vintage of The Caley will be available at yalumba.com and in fine wine retailers from June 1, 2023.
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