Yalumba | The Reserve 2002

PV Tasting Notes

If you have a child born in 2002, this little beauty from Yalumba would be a very nice choice. It’s a blend of 78 percent cabernet sauvignon and 22 percent shiraz, all of which was grown in the Barossa Valley. The 2002 vintage was of course an exceptionally cool year in these parts i.e. a good cabernet year. It was matured for 22 months in all French oak, 50 percent of it new. Eight years old now but beautifully fresh. Characterised by its profound persistence. Tremendously fine tannin, too. Mint, tobacco, blackcurrant and cedary, spicy chocolate. Acidity is cleansing, oak is not overdone, fruit is as lively as it is lovely. Beautiful Australian red.

94+ Robert Parker The Wine Advocate Oct 2006
Closed, but exceptionally promising, the 2002 The Reserve (78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Shiraz that received treatment similar to the previous wines) is a full-bodied, intense, opaque purple-colored cuvee. The tannins quickly come up, and the overall impression is of a big, deep, powerful, rich, concentrated wine with impressive harmony, extract, and potential. It needs another 3-4 years of bottle age, and should last for 25-30 years. 

This top-flight Australian red is best served with T-bone steak, strong Cheese’s e.g. parmesan, Pasta dishes with strong or piquant sauces, alternatively truffle or porcini fungi sauce, beef stew’s, stroganoff, cassoulet, stuffed cabbage, Chilli, BBQ alternatively duck or kebabs. Possibly venison or hare and will stand up to most curry.

The Reserve represents the finest twenty barrels of red wine from the cellars of Yalumba and is made only in exceptional vintages.