2018 Yalumba Octavius Old Vine Shiraz 750ml Wooden Box

Keep in cellars. Pickup is available at Sip & Cellars. (Physical shop add:1123 Burke Road, Kew VIC 3101)

Awards, Ratings & Reviews

GOLD — Barossa Wine Show · 2023

GOLD — Class 18, Barossa Wine Show · 2023

99/100 — The Vintage Journal · 2018 Vintage
“Medium deep crimson. Magnificent pure blackberry, blackberry dark chocolate aromas with vanilla roasted chestnut notes. Beautifully concentrated and inky deep with beautiful pure dark berry fruits, fine slinky animated tannins and perfectly integrated new mocha, vanilla oak. Finishes classically firm with superb mineral length. Very seductive and impressive with a beautiful scent of place. Wonderful fruit definition, purity and precision with the density and torque for long term aging. Almost perfect symmetry. Drink 2028 - 2050.”

97/100 — Decanter · 2018 Vintage, Tasted: 14 Feb 2024
“Fragranced and aromatically complex on the nose - beguiling and totally captivating red berries, clove, vanilla, liquorice and wild herbs. This has an inky density to it, weighty and fully textured but with amazing purity of fruit. Bright and piercing acidity adds to the overall expression with tannins that are refined yet carry a sense of opulence and seduction. Clean and sleek, wide, full and mouthwatering with liquorice, cherry blossom and strawberry fruit all the way through. Delicious.”

97/100 — Jane Anson · 2018 Vintage, Tasted: 10 Jul 2023
“Waves of charred sandalwood, white pepper, sage, liquorice root, juicy black fruits and balanced acidities giving plenty of freshness and a slow burn finish. You can already see just how slowly this wine ages, even at 5 years old it is still very much in its primary phase, with muscular tannins that are confidently keeping everything in line. The fruit sourcing also reflects the drive towards fresher expression in what was a warm vintage, with 69% Eden Valley and 31% Barossa. Expertly navigated, picked a little earlier than many in the region. First vintage on the place for this wonderful Shiraz. Ageing in 25% Yalumba coopered American octaves, 25% new French hogsheads, 6% Hungarian hogsheads. Winemaker Kevin Glastonbury, harvest February 15 to April 10. Hold +2 years or carafe 4 hours.”

19+/20 — Matthew Jukes · 2018 Vintage, Tasted: 28 Jun 2023
“So it is with great joy that I can reveal that 2018 The Octavius is a stellar wine, worthy of its name, nodding to the past but striding with the utmost confidence into the future. It is heroic but not showy, dramatic but not theatrical and profound but not introverted. The fruit is tempered, and the carpentry, from whence derives its unusual name, is entirely harmonious serving to heighten the kaleidoscope of flavours instead of straight-jacketing them. 2018 is a triumphant vintage of The Octavius, and it seems fitting that this wine announces Yalumba’s arrival on the world stage. I do not doubt that this wine will receive a standing ovation when a worldwide audience has the chance to taste it. 19+/20.”

About This Wine

The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz is Yalumba’s flagship Shiraz, sourced from six vineyards across the Barossa, including Eden Valley vines planted in 1854. With an average vine age of 111 years, the blend comprises 69% Eden Valley and 31% Barossa Valley fruit, combining aromatic lift and seamless structure with richness and concentration.

The wine was matured for 21 months in a combination of new French oak barriques and hogsheads, alongside older French octaves, barriques and hogsheads.

Tasting Notes

Deep red in colour with purple hues. Aromas of dark red cherries, red liquorice and red raspberries, with red, blue and violet fruits. The palate delivers generous, cool, rich flavours, balancing Eden Valley freshness with Barossa depth. Elegant, perfectly balanced and a beautiful expression of Barossa Shiraz.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2018
• Grape Variety: Shiraz
• Region: Barossa Valley / South Australia / Australia
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Acidity TA: 6.4 g/L
• Acidity pH: 3.52
• Maturation: 21 months in French oak barriques, hogsheads and octaves
• Winemaker / Ownership: Kevin Glastonbury
• Closure: Cork