Now elevated into the top of the Yalumba single vineyards range. The Yalumba Steeple Shiraz 2019 comes off a vineyard planted in 1919 adjacent to the Light Pass church, hence the Steeple. Lots of sexy time coffee oak mark this red, marking for a plush, oak-savoury style that is pretty compelling. Purple fruit, with that mocha going from nose to palate, with a coffee ground bitterness for good measure. Smooth, then grainy through the finish, there’s a full-bodied classicness here that feels right, even if the oak is a bit forceful now. There’s a bit of x-factor depth here, even if it’s still an irrepressible Barossa Shiraz in its big-boned plush pomp.

THE VERDICT

• Best drinking: Fifteen years easy.
• Score (out of 20): 18.5
• Score (out of 100): 94
• Alcohol %: 14.5
• RRP (in $AUD): 90
• Winery website: http://www.yalumba.com
• Would I buy it?: worth sharing a bottle