Blended of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Shiraz, the 2009 The Scribbler Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz has a deep garnet-purple color and notes of crushed black currant, warm blueberries and hints of dusty earth and graphite. Medium to full-bodied with medium-firm chewy tannins and crisp acid, it’s just a little astringent in the long finish. Drink it now to 2015. Remaining one of Australia’s oldest, largest and most prestigious family owned companies, Yalumba’s top wines should not be overlooked amongst the limelight-hogging young-gun wines that have sprung-up around the Barossa in the last 20 years. Some of the region’s finest vineyards are owned or contracted by this company. They’ve also contributed considerably to the quality of vine material available throughout the region with the impressive developments at the Yalumba nursery. Regarding the current releases, The Signature and Octavius won’t be released in 2007. I was informed that in 2008 all their reds were picked before the first week of March but there were no single site wines made in 2008 because it was felt the fruit wasn’t expressing the sites. 2009 was a good year and everything will be released, though winemaker Louisa Rose confessed that their early maturing Shiraz suffered the most in the 2009 heat spike.Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993

Lean and sleek, keeping its ripe blueberry and currant in proportion with hints of cedar and dark chocolate as the finish lingers. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Drink now through 2017. 1,800 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa Select to Add