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1996 Yalumba Octavius Shiraz

Barossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
$120. 00
Bottle
$1440.00 Dozen
Closure: Cork

Notes sourced from Yalumba.

The first release of 'The Octavius' from the 1988 vintage was a Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, however it was decided that future releases would utilise Yalumba’s great old Barossa Shiraz vineyards. This, the seventh release of 'The Octavius' and the sixth to be made principally from Barossa Shiraz, is what the Barossa does best. The 1996 Octavius utilises the cream of 100%Barossa Shiraz. There are a number of growers, along with ourselves, that have vineyards dating back to the early 1900's. These low bearing vines provide grapes of immense flavour andconcentration.

The premium wines made from this vintage are rich, complex and well balanced, they will mature well for many years.Perfect growing conditions made a welcome change after a trying 1995 vintage. 1996 will be remembered for being one of the perfect growing seasons and is destined to be one of the all time great Octavius releases. This year saw a return to the classical Octavius blend of Barossa and Eden Valley fruit.

The wine was matured in 70% new and 30% in 1-2 year old American oak octaves (air dried for 8 years before coopering at Yalumba) for 26Months. Inky purple to black in colour with incredibly youthful hues. The nose has very powerful primary fruit lift showing stewing plums and tarry liquorice notes, with a rich, sweet, coffee and chocolate oak background. Firm, focused and chewy the palate displays multiple layers of complexity. This is a broodingwine that will develop into one of the all time great styles. 14.0% alcohol volume.