Yalumba has been making wine in Barossa since 1849 and planted the Grenache vineyard used in this wine in 1889. These 130-year-old bush vines still produce excellent fruit, and Yalumba’s winemaking team makes this wine with a gentle maceration to maximize flavor complexity. In a word, the wine is elegant. Bright ripe red fruit notes with chestnut, red licorice, pineapple, walnut, and a light creaminess all make for an excellent experience in each sip. Tri-Centenary is Yalumba’s celebration for vines that have survived through three different centuries; 19th, 20th, and now 21st. A vineyard this old is rare, but Australia’s geographic isolation spared them from the phylloxera epidemic, and their current agricultural laws continue to protect many vineyards in Australia. When you are ready to enjoy this wine, open and pour yourself a glass. Additional aeration or decanting is not required or recommended.
Yalumba, Barossa Valley (South Australia) Grenache 2019
By Vince Simmon