Yalumba Octavius 2018

The first bottle of 2018 The Octavius was corked. I have opened the second bottle for review. Coffee grounds, dark chocolate, mulberry compote and black olive tapenade lead the charge for this irrepressibly Australian Shiraz. Big bold forest berry flavors are effusive and almost gushing, held in check by the firm hand of tannic structure. Woodsy spices—sandalwood, particularly—punctuate the black cherry and salted licorice characters. This is really good, satisfying, mouthfilling, delicious. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.

Old vine Barossan shiraz from a stellar vintage, boasting a lilt of damson, violet and black olive. Rich and lustrous, with a carriage of well wrought tannins directing solid length. The caveat, the eucalyptus across the finish. For some, this is a mark of Australiana. For others, such as myself, it is a drying agent. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.