x
  • Country ranking ?

    56
  • Producer ranking ?

    30
  • Decanting time

    4h
  • When to drink

    2020-2035
  • Food Pairing

    Lamb

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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Vintage 2018

AUSTRALIA: Very promising quality with the most optimistic reviewers declaring 2018 great in every region and for every variety. The more cautious view is that early frosts reduced yields, but that consistent good weather throughout the second half of the growing season actually resulted in great potential.

Barossa 2018 vintage to savor

The 2018 Barossa vintage was completed at the end of April 2018, with growers and winemakers satisfied with a high quality vintage and good yields.

“The flavors and colors of the reds are wonderful, and the natural acids in the Eden Valley whites surprisingly high, with early varieties this year including Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet,” said Louisa Rose, head of winemaking at Yalumba.

The growing season is off to a good start, with winter 2017 precipitation about 10% above average. However, spring rainfall was only 78% of average in the Barossa Valley (BV) and 98% in the Eden Valley (EV), and December rainfall was only 57%. % of average in BV (88% in EV).

Drier soils, combined with warmer than average days in October and November (October 2ºC above average in VB (1.8ºC in EV) and November 1.1ºC above average in BV (1.6 ºC in EV), allowed the vine canopies to grow quickly, to flower well and to form a good number of clusters.

January and February were hot and dry, with very hot temperatures in February slowing the rate of ripening. January was slightly above average (1.4°C during the day but closer to average at night) and February was about average during the day, but with nighttime temperatures significantly warmer than average. average in the Barossa Valley (5.8°C warmer).

With summer rainfall at 50% of average, growers with access to water, soil moisture monitoring, good irrigation management and healthy soils experienced less stress – and subsequently delivered healthy fruit and consistent yields.

The Indian summer of March and early April was “the icing on the cake”, with average temperatures, without extremes, perfect for ending the vintage. The 28-30mm of rain on April 14-15 did not cause any major problems for picking – and was a welcome post-harvest watering for most Barossa growers.

Overall, in 2018, Barossa Valley crushed 56,970 tonnes*, down 22% from the 2017 vintage, but 9% from the five-year average. In 2018, Eden Valley crushed 11,593 tonnes*, down 3% compared to 2017.

The total Barossa crush of 68,563 tonnes* represented 9% of the total volume and 25% of the total crush value in South Australia.

Average prices for Barossa Valley varieties remained stable in 2018, with Shiraz at $2252 per tonne, down 1% from last year. At Eden Valley, the average price of Shiraz increased by 11% to $2636 per tonne and Cabernet Sauvignon increased by 15% to $2354.

*Wine Australia estimates the response rate for wine grape crush in South Africa to be 85%, so the actual total Barossa crush is estimated at between 75,000 and 80,000 tonnes.

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Tasting note

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Written Notes

The two wines are the 802.A Cabernet Shiraz 2018 (AUD$900; AUD$2,250 for magnum) and the 802.B Cabernet Shiraz 2018 (price TBC; to be released August 2022).

Both are the traditional Aussie red – Cabernet Shiraz – and Penfolds kindly unveiled the wines at the release for a world first tasting. They are in very heavy bottles with huge punts, both sealed under cork. “A” is 1,400 cases while “B” is a little more generous with 5,000 cases.

The Penfolds 802.B Cabernet Shiraz 2018 is a different kettle of fish. Loved it. A wonderful new addition to the range. Seamless and balanced. 97.

  • 97p

Blended pre-maturation. Matured in French oak for 19 months. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Shiraz. 
This is more like the Penfolds style than the 802-A, the fruit is beautifully sleek and potent. Finely brushed tannin, volume without weight. Meaty and savoury. Long. Champions the Cab/Shiraz blend convincingly. (RH)

  • 95p

Deep ruby. Powerful, spice-accented cherry preserve, blackberry, potpourri and baking spice scents pick up suggestions of sandalwood and mocha as the wine stretches out. Shows sharp definition and spicy lift to its red/blue fruit liqueur, candied lavender and spicecake flavors, which slowly deepen through the back half, with no loss of vivacity. Finishes very long and lively, with resonating spiciness, gently gripping tannins and a late suggestion of musky chewing tobacco. Made in all French oak hogsheads, 54% of them new.

  • 95p

Deep crimson. Intense cassis, blackberry, mulberry aromas with roasted chestnut, vanilla. Generous and inky textured with lovely dark cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant fruits, cocoa/ chinotto notes, plentiful fine-grained slinky tannins and underlying roasted chestnut, vanilla, caramel notes. Finishes claret firm with lovely pure dark fruits, some bitter sweet notes and a fine lacy plume. The French oak brings out a more defined structure. Aged for 19 months in new (54%) and seasoned (46% one year old) French oak hogsheads. 55% cabernet sauvignon 45% shiraz. Drink 2026-2045 14.5% Alc 97 points
 
Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe, Clare Valley

A fascinating wine showing remarkable similarities yet astonishing differences. The impact of cabernet shiraz ratios, blending options, oak types and maturation bring out different expressions. Yet ultimately time may well see these two wines increasingly look like twins
 

  • 97p

Cabernet Shiraz

55% cabernet sauvignon, 45% shiraz.

Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe, Clare. 19 months in French oak (54% new, 46% 1YO).  5000 cases (9LE).

The tannins here are tighter, and finer, and it is a far more exciting wine. Elegant and taut, this is very long, lingering and quite titillating. Impressive.

Available August 2022.

96+pts

  • 96p
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Information

Origin

Magill, South Australia

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