Yalumba, The Octavius - Barossa Valley 2020

The Octavius, a unique australian wine produced from centenarian Shiraz vines

Yalumba, founded in 1849 and Australia’s oldest family-owned winery, has remained independent under the Hill-Smith family for generations. Their commitment to quality and innovation is evident in their control over the entire winemaking process, including their on-site Cooperage. The Octavius blends Shiraz grapes from six Barossa vineyards, with the oldest vines dating back to 1854, combining Eden Valley’s elegance with Barossa Valley’s richness and depth. With an average vine age of 111 years, 69% of this Shiraz is sourced from Eden Valley and 31% from the Barossa Valley.

The 2020 vintage

Weather conditions:

A cool winter with lighter than average rainfall. Flowering was delayed by cooler November weather, this was followed by a warm, windy stint which reduced crop set and resulted in a lower than average crop.

Warm December and January days kept berry sizes small. A very welcome 31mm of rain fell on the 31st January. This dry and mild to hot weather has produced grapes with great flavour, fruit intensity and lovely balance.

Tasting notes:

Deep crimson in colour. Stunning dark fruits including blackberry and boysenberry with aniseed notes, tarry and vanillan aromas. Dense fruit flavours on the palate with chocolatey, coating tannins and roasted chestnut notes. This is a superbly balanced wine showing terrific concentration.

matthewjukes.com

byMatthew Jukesthe9/17/2025

Made from vines planted in 1854, 1901, 1920, 1945 and 1955, this beautiful wine is truly stellar. 72% of the blend comes from the Barossa Valley, and 28% from the Eden Valley, and it is the Eden portion that sings, bringing an aerial sense of flowers and fruit blossom that provides stunning detail and marquetry to this mighty wine. Only a couple of years off drinking, I scored this wine 19/20 when I first wrote it up in July. A fortnight ago, I was tempted to add a half-point because it looked so glorious.

The Drinks Business

byColin Haythe8/27/2025

(Eden & Barossa Valleys; 100% old vine Shiraz; aged in 100 litre French and American oak octaves; pH 3.64; 14.5% alcohol). 72% of the fruit is from the Barossa valley, the remaining 28% from Eden Valley. Plump, plush, quite glossy and viscous with lots of extract and beautifully polished fine-grained super svelte tannins. A little hint of leather and charcuterie accompanies the dark berry and stone fruits. There’s a deeper, richer, gamier note of lièvre a la royale too – and a hint of molten candlewax. The almost sparkling purity renders the mid-palate impressively crystalline despite the considerable density. 96+.

Decanter.com

byGeorgina Hindlethe8/8/2025

Wow, a deep, heady nose full of purple flowers and ripe black fruit. Supple and alive, this is almost thick in the mouth - concentrated and intense thanks to the dry and mild-to-hot vintage conditions - although there’s a tense aspect too with acidity that drives the wine forward and keeps it all in quite a straight line. Streamlined and focussed, this has such detail to the tannins and fruit and while the flavour widen the structure is pointed and very straight. I like the sense of bite you get, the tangy edges and lovely stony, mineral, salty touch. Some iron, clove spice, cedar spice, bitter chocolate but with freshly picked strawberries. Amazing - still a little compact on the finish but great potential here and it has a mouthwatering core that is so delicious. 3.64pH. With an average vine age of 89 years, 72% of this Shiraz is sourced from the Barossa Valley and 28% from Eden Valley.

Wine Advocate

byErin Larkinthe7/31/2025

The 2020 The Octavius is lighter and finer than the depth and darkness of the 2019 tasted beside it. This is an interesting development. The 2020 season was hot and low yielding, just like 2019; however, the wine displays real finesse and levity in the glass. The tannins are dusty and earthy through the finish and leave a trail of sumac, pressed flowers and exotic spice in their wake. The finish leaves a note of clove and aniseed, and the length of flavor and carriage of tannin is something really worth discussing and noting. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. Drink 2025-2045

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

byJane Ansonthe7/8/2025

Fragrant, grippy, gentle with slow-build power, sweet crushed raspberry and tar, liqourice root, powerful and pumped up but with cooling mint leaf and safe freshness, coupled with silky tannins. 24% new French oak for ageing, grapes sourcing from 78% Barossa, 22% Eden Valley. Winemaker Kevin Glastonbury, 3.64ph, harvest February 25 to March 18.

Jamessuckling.com

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2025

Plush aromas of blackberries, red currants, cedar, red apple skin, citrus peel and bitter chocolate. The palate is full-bodied with a generous and powerful mouthfeel and finely grained tannins that lead to a bold, dark-fruited and savory finish. Some lovely old-vine character. It’s aged 50% in 100-liter house-coopered barrels. Drink or hold.

Information:	Details:
Couleur	Rouge
Cépages	Shiraz 100 %
Appellation	Barossa Valley
Millesime	2020
Contenance	Bouteille (75 cl)

Information:

Details:

Couleur

Rouge

Cépages

Shiraz 100 %

Appellation

Barossa Valley

Millesime

2020

Contenance

Bouteille (75 cl)

Un repas	Autour du repas
Un cadeau	Faire une découverte !

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Yalumba, The Octavius - Barossa Valley 2020

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