Yalumba - Barossa Valley The Caley 2018

Decanter

About the wine:

This carefully crafted blend is a magnificent example of the marriage between a Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) and an Eden Valley Shiraz, bringing together grape varieties from very distinct regions to create a perfect harmony of complementary flavors and textures. It is a bold vision skillfully brought to life: the herbal notes, the liveliness of red currant, and the assertive character of blackberry—typical of Coonawarra Cabernet—intertwine with the velvety exuberance of the red and blue fruits of Eden Valley Shiraz. A lively aroma of fresh berries bursts from the glass, but the highlight of this blend lies in the savory, comforting notes that envelop the mid-palate and linger through its densely layered structure. It is important to note that the bottled wine ages in the cellar for 23 months before release, giving it an ideal balance, with fine tannins that support the power of rich, persistent fruit. 2025–2045

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The grapes used for the 2018 Caley Cabernet & Shiraz come from Coonawarra and Barossa. The Cabernet Sauvignon (80% of the blend) is sourced from four plots located within the same vineyard owned by the estate in Coonawarra, and includes two clones. The Shiraz (20% of the blend) is a blend of grapes from the Eden Valley (15%) and Barossa (5%). Harvested entirely by hand and destemmed, the grape lots are kept separately in the cellar and fermented spontaneously in a selection of tanks. The wine macerated on the skins for 10 days, then was pressed and transferred to Yalumba oak barrels (primarily) and aged in a total of 38% new barrels. It offers notes on the nose of dusted blood plums, black raspberries, cocoa beans, and licorice. It is balanced and understated, with a hint of toasted oak shining through the abundant fruit. On the palate, the fruit is abundant and purple, supported by a firm tannic structure that allows the wine to glide smoothly across the tongue. It is cohesive, powerful, and radiant. This is a very elegant wine, with pleasure at its core. It drinks beautifully right now; it is refined and brilliant, yet savory (peppery roast beef crust), which lends it a touch of richness and balances the fruit. This is an exciting wine that pays respectful homage to the classic Australian “Cab Shiraz” blend, yet cannot hide its refinement and modernity. Long aging potential. 2023–2058

Vinous

About the wine:

This 2018 Cabernet-Shiraz blend is a model of purity and precision. Notes of vibrant red fruit and blackcurrant intertwine with aromas of graphite and red cherry, enhanced by a very subtle hint of spice and dried herbs, all beautifully supported by a powerful yet harmonious oak backdrop with notes of coffee beans. What follows is a classic claret style: a concentrated core of fruit enveloped in dense yet silky-textured tannins. The finish is stunning: harmonious, elegant, and extremely long, revealing a seductive blend of fruit and tannins, with a peacock’s tail as a finale. A classic in the making. 2025–2060

The Real Review

About the wine:

It has beautiful depth and color, still displaying violet hues at this age. The bouquet is fresh and crisp, rich with hints of forest floor, mint, and dried herbs, while the palate is very powerful, concentrated, full-bodied, and solidly structured. There are also deep notes of blackcurrant, which remain somewhat subdued. This is a dense and powerful red wine, dominated by Cabernet, with abundant tannins. The finish is exceptionally long. A magnificent wine that has everything it takes to age and deserves to be cellared for the long term. (80% Coonawarra Cabernet, 20% Barossa Shiraz).

James Halliday - Wine Companion

About the wine:

The Caley has quickly established itself as a benchmark for classic Cabernet/Shiraz blends. The 2018 vintage is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra and 20% Shiraz from Barossa, aged for 20 months in French oak barrels (38% of which were new). The fusion of grape varieties and terroirs is fascinating and captivating. Aromas of blackberry and blackcurrant, beautifully balanced, pair wonderfully with plum and black cherry. Notes of cedar and tobacco are accompanied by delicate spices, soft herbaceous nuances, dried citrus blossoms, pencil shavings, and cinnamon. Perfect fruity depth, a powdery mineral structure, and harmony in every aspect of its composition leave the impression of a wine at the pinnacle of its art, destined for a long life in the cellar.