2021 Yalumba The Steeple Single Vineyard Barossa Shiraz

Brand	Yalumba
Region	Barossa Valley, SA
Varietal	Shiraz
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	14.5%
Vintage	2021
Country	Australia
Vegan
Vegetarian

I recently had the privilege of drinking the 95-95-97-97/100 rated “The Steeple Single Vineyard Barossa Shiraz 2021” standing amongst the exalted, gnarly, 102-year-old vines in this famous 1.34-hectare Barossa Vineyard. A RARE & Hedonistic Shiraz, I experienced a spiritual wine moment. It’s wines and moments like this that have highlighted my 47-year career in the wine business… and made my life so special. Planted in 1919, in the shadow of the Light Pass Immanuel Lutheran Church steeple, these old vines run deep into ancient Barossan sandy loam and red-brown earth, yielding intensely flavoured Shiraz grapes to create a wine of richness, texture, concentration and length. The very finest oak was coopered for such majestic old-vine fruit of course. The Steeple was matured for 16 months in 15% new Tonnellerie Sylvain ‘Artistic Series’ barriques coopered from a 365-year-old oak tree. The balance in older Tonnellerie Sylvain ‘Artistic Series’ 365-year-old barriques. The combination of intensely flavoured old-vine fruit and finely grained ancient crème de la crème oak... is perfection personified. A powerful yet graceful Shiraz experience awaits. A RARE old-vine Barossa Shiraz few will be lucky to get. It is likely to peak around 2033 and hold through 2038+.

Bold, hedonistic aromas of blackberry, dark cherry and plum woven with spice, cedar, and vanilla. Hints of bay leaf, sage and violets emerge gently offset by mocha and roast-meat nuances.

Full-bodied and finely textured, the palate features deep currents of black fruit, cassis, chocolate, and savoury complexities. Plush yet muscular tannins deliver structure, with seriously fine oak adding subtle cedar and mocha culminating with a graphite-mineral edge. Can be enjoyed now, but best from 2030+.