2015 Yalumba The Signature Museum Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

Rich and expansive with a finish that goes on and on.

A classic Australian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, the first vintage release of the Signature was in 1962. Each year it acknowledges one or more Signatories; people who have enhanced the traditions and culture of Yalumba. The 2015 vintage honours Darrell Kruger who has been working for Yalumba since 1975 and today is the Barossa vineyard manager. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Shiraz matured for 22 months in 18% new French oak barriques and Hungarian hogsheads, the balance in older, French, Hungarian and American barriques and hogsheads.
Impenetrable pitch black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Wafting through the nostrils are potent aromas of ripe blackcurrant, liquorice and dark plum which are complimented by dark chocolate, vanillin cedar, earth, faint leather and spice notes. Rich, expansive and powerful, the full bodied palate is a concentrate of blackcurrant, liquorice and dark plum fruit. Opulent mouth feel with notions of vanillin cedar, subtle earthy dark chocolate and spice the undercard. Ripe, velvety yet structurally sound tannins with a long densely fruited finish that goes on and on.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Originally tasted January 2020: Impenetrable black core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Singing out of the glass are intense aromatics of blackcurrant, liquorice and dark plum which are intermeshed with a mixture of vanillin cedar, earth, dried herbs, light tobacco and spice. Superbly concentrated the palate is flooded with rich blackcurrant, dark plum and subtle liquorice fruits which meld with cedary tobacco characters, a touch of earth, dried herbs and some spicy bay leaf infusions. Slightly grainy, firm yet refined tannins provide a great framework. Magnificent depth and power with a very long and detailed finish.
97 points

Other Reviews.....
51/49% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz. A museum release of the famous Yalumba 'The Signature', made by Kevin Glastonbury and honouring the late Darrell Kruger, a Yalumba vineyard manager from '75–'19. Blackberry, black cherry and dark plum fruits of great intensity and depth with a hint of exoticness to the spice array; soul-like it is. Hints of cedar, leather and mahogany. It boasts a superb structure and pitch-perfect weight, the fruit drawing long and elegant on the finish. What a ripper. Drink by 2040.
96 points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

This has a very attractive, blackberry and red-plum nose with some leafy elements, as well as plenty of oak spice and hints of black tea. This has a fleshy, supple, bold and round palate. Very supple, sleek and long. Silky, yet sturdy. Very drinkable now and will last a good two decades. A vinous slam dunk! Drink or hold.
96 points
JamesSuckling.com