David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Many of you that see my posts know I don’t open a Napa Cabernet this young. However, this was selling at my Costco for $69.99. K&L Wine Merchants $99.99. Delectable at $115. So, I had to buy a four. I coravined this bottle for a Somm friend last weekend who likes his Napa reds young. 🤷‍♂️

While this has seen a bit of bottle evolution, it still needs another 6-8 yrs before I open another and has the potential to pick up another point or two then.

Nose shows; brambly blackberries, stewy black plum, black raspberries, darkest cherries, boysenberries and strawberries off the glass edges. Dry tobacco, leather, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon notes, vanilla, anise, dark, rich, turned earth and withering, dark, slightly candied flowers.

The palate expresses some evolution. It is rich, ripe; brambly blackberries, stewy black plum, black raspberries, darkest cherries, boysenberries, hints of blueberries and strawberries off the glass edges. Tarry, dry medium plus tannins. Dry tobacco, leather, dark spice with a touch of heat, mixed darker berry cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon notes, vanilla, black tea, anise, mixed fresh & drier herbs, dark, rich, turned earth, barrel shavings/dust, a hint of black pepper, moist, grey clay, dry top soil, dry river stone and withering, dark, red, slightly candied flowers with violets, very round, phat acidity with a well; balanced, big structured, tensioned, lush, elegant and nicely layered & polished finish that lasts a full 90 seconds. Still kind of in its primary stage.

This is made by Chris Carpenter who also makes; Lokoya, Cardinale, La Jota, Hickinbotham (Australia) made at Yangarra. Sofia & I tasted at Yangarra and after tasted his Hickinbotham with him in 2017.

Photos of; staff picking on Mount Veeder, Chris Carpenter in the cellar and scenic shot of Mount Veeder. — a month ago

Muralee Murugesu

9.3

Wild red fruit bomb with spicy and leathery notes. Amazing nose for this 2016 “cooler” climate parcel of this Shiraz. Good length and pairs well with lamb. Summer in canada is awesome! — 5 years ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.1

Great Aussie expression of the grape — 10 months ago

Jan A

9.4

Whole bunch fermented. This was a big, dark spices dominated wine. Bitter chocolate, lavender, dense palate, long finish — 3 years ago

October Cleveland

9.1

Touted as their answer to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this blend is a rock solid showing from Yangarra. Alive but classic. — 4 years ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.1

(Delectable, you’ve STILL got this one wrong! This is for the Yangarra Blanc 2018. It is NOT known as ‘McLaren Vale Grenache Blanc Blend. Please correct this!!) Great stuff. Gorgeous every day drinking. Textural and complex but very easy to enjoy. Can’t. Stop. Topping. Up. — 5 years ago

with Sam

Jackie Ward

9.4

Slight tang, smooth, very good! Thank you Hemerson — a year ago

Jeremy Pollard

8.9

Lovely stuff. Beautifully balanced and deliciously versatile; a nice food friendly alternative to riesling and chardonnay. — 4 years ago

with Sam

Lyn Farmer

9.3

75 year old vines, dry farmed. Lovely evocation of Grenache, very well balanced with 13.5%abv. Real elegance on the palate with white pepper, Wild strawberry, plum, licorice. Medium tannin, medium acidity. Elegant and delicious — 4 years ago

Simon Gilligan

9.0

Interesting - grenache flavours but with a herbal/green infusion that you might like or not. I’m a bit on the fence. Savoury finish, not candied, fresh but back to back with the Yangarra old vine Grenache ($28 Yangarra vs $20 Cirillo street price), great prices, both quality but I’ll go the Yangarra. — 5 years ago