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  • Country ranking ?

    273
  • Producer ranking ?

    17
  • Decanting time

    3h
  • When to drink

    Now-2040
  • Food Pairing

    Grilled beef, Roasted lamb chops & Comté or Beaufort cheeses

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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The Story

The distinction, elegance and power of Langhorne Creek is expressed enticingly in Grey Label Cabernet Shiraz. Evolving since the first 1967 blend, it remains constant in the quality, character and style that is Grey Label.

Origin: Grey Label Cabernet Shiraz was sourced from a region as unique as the character it bestows upon the wine. The vineyards of Langhorne Creek lie on deep, rich, alluvial soils along the banks of the Bremer River. Flooding of the river provides natural irrigation while at the same time depositing silts and sediments that contribute to the unique soil qualities, impacting the resultant wine’s character and personality.

Winemaking: Individual vineyard batches were fermented in small open-top fermenters for 5 to 10 days. Plunging and gentle irrigation were used to work the cap and optimise flavour, colour and tannin extraction, providing for concentration and depth of fruit, while keeping tannins plush, hallmarks of the Grey Label style. Selected batches completed fermentation in barrel, contributing mid-palate texture, while others finished fermentation on skins, providing structural length and focus.

Tasting note:  A rich, dark fruit profile of black cherry and cassis, complexed with subtle mineral notes and savoury oak. Layers of black and red berry fruits, mineral nuances, warm spice and subtle savoury oak. The palate has richness yet finesse, lengthened by finely textured tannins.

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Wine Information

Alc: 14,5%

Vintage: Above average winter rains, leading to a number of floods through the older floodplain vineyards, was followed by a slightly drier spring, setting the vines up well. Short January heatwaves were tempered by good leaf coverage and cooling southerly breezes. Warm, dry days and cool nights during ripening resulted in moderate yields and excellent quality, fruit-focused wines.

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Vintage 2018

At a glance summary

The Australian winegrape crush was 1.79 million tonnes – a decrease of 10 per cent from the record 2017 harvest. 

The crush was just above the long-term average of 1.76 million tonnes

The average purchase price across all varieties increased 8 per cent to $609 per tonne – the highest since 2008.

Average winegrape purchase prices paid increased across the board:The average for red varieties increased by 11 per cent to $768 per tonne and,

The average for white varieties grew by 5 per cent to $444 per tonne.

The total estimated value of the crush decreased by 3 per cent to $1.11 billion due to lower tonnages partially offset by higher average prices.

Red varieties overall decreased by 15 per cent in tonnage while white varieties decreased by 4 per cent, leading to a reduction in the red share from 55 per cent to 52 per cent of the crush, in line with the three-year average.

Shiraz tonnes crushed decreased by 17 per cent, Cabernet Sauvignon by 14 per cent and Merlot by 19 per cent.

Chardonnay was the only major variety to go against the trend, increasing by 9 per cent and restoring its share of the white crush to 47 per cent.

The crush in cool/temperate regions decreased by 20 per cent overall, while warm regions decreased by5 per cent and increased their share of the overall crush to 72 per cent.

The proportion of winery-grown fruit decreased from 33 per cent of the crush in 2017 to 31 per cent in 2018.

 

2018 Barossa vintage one to savour

Barossa 2018 vintage wrapped up at the end of April 2018, with grape growers and winemakers happy with a high-quality vintage and good yields.

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

The growing season started off well, with Winter 2017 rainfall around 10% higher than average. However, Spring rainfall was only 78% of average in Barossa Valley (BV) and 98% in Eden Valley (EV), and December rainfall was only 57% of average in BV (88% in EV).

Drier soils, combined with warmer than average October and November days (October 2ºC above average in BV (1.8 ºC in EV) and November 1.1ºC above average in BV (1.6 ºC in EV), meant the vine canopies grew quickly; flowering well and setting a good number of bunches.

January and February were warm and dry, with very warm temperatures in February slowing down the pace of ripening. January was slightly above average (1.4ºC during the day but closer to average at night) and February was about average during the day, but with significantly warmer than average night time temperatures in Barossa Valley (5.8ºC warmer).

With summer rainfall 50% of average, growers with access to water, soil moisture monitoring, good irrigation management and healthy soils experienced less stress – and subsequently delivered sound 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 finishing off vintage. The 28-30mm of rain on 14/15 April 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% above the five-year average. In 2018, Eden Valley crushed 11,593 tonnes*, down 3% from 2017.

The total Barossa crush of 68,563 tonnes* contributed 9% of the total volume and 25% of the total value of the South Australian crush.

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

*Wine Australia estimates the SA Winegrape crush response rate is 85%, so the actual total Barossa crush is estimated at 75,000 to 80,000 tonnes.

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Average Bottle Price

2020
24€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Information

Origin

Barossa Valley, South Eastern

Drinking temperature

17-18C

Other wines from this producer

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Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

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Wolf Blass Red Label Shiraz Cabernet

Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon

Wolf Blass Yellow Label Chardonnay

Wolf Blass Yellow Label Riesling

Wolff Blass Yellow Label Rosé

Yellow Label Shiraz

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