1996 Yalumba The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

Notes sourced from Yalumba.
This wine, the third to be labelled 'The Reserve' follows the legendary 1990 and 1992 vintages and is also the first to be sourced entirely from the Barossa. Vintaged from the outstanding 1996 season which was characterised by below average rainfall in winter/spring and a warm start to summer with a cool finish, resulting in a very long growing/ripening season, perfect for growing great Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz fruit.

Intense red colour, Yalumba 'The Reserve' 1996 is a concentrated explosion of ripe, sweet fruit, blackberries and plums. Two years' maturation in French oak has contributed lifted mocha and chocolate oak characters. This is a wine of great length and structure that will reward cellaring for at least 20 years.
14% alcohol volume.

Other Reviews....
An awesome wine, only made in the greatest vintages, the 1996 Shiraz/Cabernet The Reserve (only 50 six-packs available for the USA), is nearly as spectacular as the 1998. A rich, full-bodied, concentrated effort revealing tremendous fruit depth, enormous power and weight as well as impeccable balance and purity, it should hit its prime in 2-3 years, and last for 15+.
96 points
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate