Winemaker Notes
Royal Oaks of the King's Wood were forests planted by monarchs to build elegant cathedrals and church naves. The beautiful old French oak in Yangarra's foudre vessels helps them make elegant wine by gradually polishing and protecting the brightest, spiciest south facing Shiraz they grow.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Pronounced aromas of fresh, juicy blackcurrant and beet juice, with cloves and a brine-y olive note behind, open. The mocha-like oak shows a touch, too. There's succulence and fruit concentration to the palate. It's weighty but balanced by tangy acidity. Fine, well-tucked tannins add structure and food friendliness. You could drink it now, but it will greatly reward patience at it evolves over the next 10-15 years.
Cellar Selection -
Australian Wine Companion
There is a lighter touch to this than in past vintages, although it's still a dense, compact and richly flavoured wine. A stellar vintage and a gentle extraction (20 days) on skins in oak foudre helped. Pointed northern Rhône-like aromas of blueberry, violet, white pepper, dried nori, black olive and clove. An undercarriage of briar and hedgerow imparts a welcome savouriness. The sinewy tannic mettle suggests this will age well and grow with stature in time.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.