Welcome back to our Fresh Choice Nelson wine aficionado, Neil Hodgson. This week Neil writes about an Australian favourite, Yalumba wine. Take it away Neil…
Yalumba has to be one of Australia’s most recognisable and trusted wine brands. From their budget-friendly estate range to their ultra-premium offerings. The family that owns Yalumba has ensured quality at every level.
After being established in 1849 by Samuel Smith each generation to follow has added richness to the heritage of this eponymous Barossa Valley wine producer.
The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz may be the pinnacle of the Yalumba winemaking journey (Aus $349) and displays the finely honed skills of the Yalumba winemakers. This wine is made in very limited numbers, but the point I want to make is that the same skill, care and attention that goes into making this ultra-premium wine is reflected in the everyday drinking wines you can buy at Fresh Choice Nelson.
Yalumba Vineyard Collection:
The recently released Yalumba Vineyard Collection, all $20.99 (a saving of $6 a bottle), reinforces the dedication this winemaking family has to bringing great wines at affordable prices to you.
For me the key difference in this range is the complexity they show at such a young age. The Eden Valley Viognier is rich and packed with intensely ripe stonefruit flavours while soft acidity and spice characters give it some freshness.
The classic Barossa Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon blend has remarkably refined and approachable tannins for such a young wine. Add fruity intensity and some refreshing acidity, and you have a wine perfect for enjoying with a nice rich casserole.
Finally, the Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mataro (GSM) blend is also very approachable drinking now. It is packed with delicious chocolate flavours but is lighter, more refined and fresher than the Shiraz Cabernet blend. This freshness sets it apart from the many ripe, jammy Aussie reds on the market.
A chance to win…
To celebrate the launch of this range, Yalumba has 30 Le Creuset Casserole Dishes to give away. Just buy a bottle in store and enter the code from the special label on their website. You\’ll go into the draw to win the Le Creuset that Fresh Choice Nelson has to give away.
You can check out the full tasting notes on my website, toptastes.co.nz.
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