Yalumba has a long-held passion for ‘great’ wine and this quintessential Australian red, ‘The Signature’, is a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz that has enjoyed fame with wine lovers across the world for over 40 years. For most producers, this in itself would be an impressive milestone but the Yalumba winery, based in the Barossa, is the oldest family-owned winery in Australia having been in existence for 171 years, and making top quality wines that have graced the tables of Michelin star restaurants and homes throughout the world is what it does.
This particular icon, with its big Barossa aromas of dark fruit and spice and rich deep flavours occupies a special position in the family’s heart, so why not blow your guests away with a glass on Christmas Day itself? Alternatively, steeped in history and with its ability to age wonderfully well, this wine would be a welcome Christmas gift for even the most fastidious wine lover. Indeed, each bottle has its own story to tell.
The magic behind the bottle
Yalumba owners Robert Hill-Smith and Jess Hill Smith / The Signature Wine Maker Kevin Glastonbury
For the Signature is so much more than just a wine. It represents a celebration of people. Ever since it was first released in 1966, each vintage has been named in honour of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the culture and traditions of Yalumba over many years. And now with 45 vintages, names and stories all encapsulated in this historic wine, they are sharing The Signature 2015, which honours Darrell Kruger, who worked at Yalumba for 44 years and managed the Barossa vineyards. What a badge of honour and a wonderful matching of loyalty and recognition.
The best food matches for Yalumba’s ‘The Signature’
As food matches go - the hero dish has to be the traditional Christmas dinner. This beauty is also delicious with a rib of beef, a dob of horseradish and a side of roasted root veg such as squash, thinly sliced, tossed in olive oil, salt and pepper and a sprinkling of fresh finely chopped sage and cooked in their skins. Equally good would be a vegetarian lasagne made with slow-cooked chestnut mushrooms steeped in garlic butter, caramelized onions, vegetables with earthy flavours, topped off with a delicious white cheese sauce. For simpler fare, enjoy a home-made pizza, with a home-made cherry tomato sauce and an array of toppings. This is, indeed, a super food friendly wine. It’s the wine’s depth of flavour and it’s full-bodied richness and concentration that brings out the best in fine home cooking. But don’t forget to decant for an hour before serving to let it breathe.
A perfect bottle to store and save
Of course, it will also sit happily in the cellar for 20-30 years where it will age very gracefully. That is, if you have the same patience and self-restraint as the family from Yalumba.
Where to buy
If you want to buy a bottle of Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz 2015, you can purchase from Majestic Wine, Flagship Wines, Cru Wine World, and Wine Direct – with prices from about £38 a bottle.
Buy it now:
Majestic Wines
Flagship Wines
Cru
Wine Direct