100 Points
20+ Points
99 Points
99 Points
98 Points

Yalumba The Caley Cabernet Shiraz 2021

SKU: YCCS202110 UCAU

~~$450.00~~ $424.99

Unit price: per

100 Points Tyson Stelzer

This is the flagship wine of renowned producer Yalumba.

"I have bestowed a perfect score on an Australian table wine only once in the past decade, and The Caley 2021 is every bit deserving." Tyson Stelzer

Critic Scores

100 // Tyson Stelzer

"This is not only the greatest wine to ever emerge from the hallowed halls of Yalumba, it is categorically the finest exemplar of the great Australian blend of the modern era, and the equal of the greatest in history. Kevin KG Glastonbury’s relentless fanaticism has fused Coonawarra cabernet with Barossa shiraz (26%) to perfection, and I use this word very deliberately. While I was not alive at the time to have the privilege of tasting it in its youth, it has perhaps not been since Max Schubert’s legendary 1962 Penfolds Bin 60A that this union has been mastered with such breathtaking harmony. Since its inaugural release a decade ago, The Caley has set the standard for refinement in cabernet shiraz, reincarnating the Coonawarra/Barossa blends of Yalumba of a half-century ago to become the first wine to win Matthew Jukes and my The Great Australian Red competition four times with three vintages, each of which I scored 98-99 points. 2021 embraces this profound legacy and takes it further to establish an all-new benchmark. It elevates this distinguished label by effortlessly contrasting greater depth of black fruits, higher lift of violet fragrance, more energetic, cool season acidity and more profound confidence of tannins that are at once finer and more velvety and yet somehow stron(more...)"

20+ // Matthew Jukes

"I am infinitely grateful to have creator, creative and creation knowledge of this wine, from its inception to this moment in time. All vintages, all progressions, all inflections and all moments of ‘worry’ have been shared, and so when a wine, and there are few on the planet with this epic consistency of production, is released, the world must pay attention. There is so much class here, it is extraordinary. How would you place this wine if you were an alien landing at our intergalactic hub in search of a refreshing libation? It could only be a wine from the 5263 quadrant of SA, which I am sure an alien could compute faster than most humans. But there is a looming sense of disquiet about this 74% Coonawarra wine, because it has an x-factor that transports into an otherworldly plane that is simply jaw-dropping. My wine mind does all it can to personify every sip I taste and yet, as much as I admire all the James Bonds, Hans Solo, and even, and this might sound somewhat incongruous, the Jackson Lambs of this world, this wine has no earthly human form synonym. It soars, mythical, half-human, half-deity, and it holds back more than it gives, and then releases unfathomable mysteries when you momentarily switch off. It is, in short, epic. I wondered if any wine could eclipse(more...)"

99 // Ken Gargett – Winepilot.com

"It might be suspicion only but one feels that our venerable old Barossa producer, Yalumba, may have felt that, as impressive as its portfolio of wines is, the world did not see them having a release which challenged the Granges and the Hills of Grace and a surprising number of new releases at ridiculously high and arguably undeserved prices. Enter this wine, although it still sits well below how others when we start talking cost, but then that is only to its advantage. They opted for the great Aussie red blend to take it away from the usual single variety rock stars. It is also a blend of regions with the Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra and the Shiraz from the Barossa. There have been some absolutely superb releases of this wine over the years but for me, none better than this 2021. It is a superstar. Under cork. Gleaming blood red/maroon, the nose reveals notes of bright cherries, tobacco leaves, spices, well integrated oak, plums, blackberries, aniseed, cassis and beefstock. It is subtle and seductive, generous and plush, offering a fine line of acidity in great length. There are silky tannins on the lingering finish. Superbly focused, this is surely the best Caley to come my way (and I have seen them all). Stonkingly good, if one wishes to get technical. Thirty years with e(more...)"

99 // James Halliday

"At this viewing (and we are a long way off from this wine's intended release), we are in for a very special wine – Yalumba's flagship, from the excellent 2021 vintage. It is a picture of elegance and fruit power in one package. There is a glass-staining deep crimson colour for starters. The fruit, seemingly reduced to an essence, is all blackberry, cassis, black cherry and dark plum. Hints of deep spice, blackforest cake, licorice, cedar, tobacco pouch, bouquet garni, black olive tapenade, pencil shavings, roast beef, earth, veal glace and dark chocolate. The tannins are powdery, layered and in perfect resolution, the oak sitting simpatico with the deep fruit, the finish stretching out for a considerable length of time. The best Caley release thus far for mine."

98 // Stuart Knox

"Deep and bright ruby red with a hint of purple shining in the light. Blackberry, mint, dark chocolate and graphite aromatics. The palate is a true delight, showing intensity with poise as it reveals a multitude of facets. Dark berry fruits sit at the centre, with cedar wood, cigar, graphite and bay leaf ebbing and flowing as it drives along. The contrast between effortless intensity and a sense of lightness is remarkable, carried mostly by tannins that show both power and grace. As it reaches an almost never-ending finish, the interplay of characters remains in perfect harmony. (74% Coonawarra cabernet, 26% Barossa shiraz)"

Product Details

Red

2021

Cabernet Blend

Yalumba

South Australia, Australia

15 Plus Years

Cork

14.0%

750ml (Bottle)

Available for Purchase

Estimated dispatch from Warehouse: Friday, May 29, 2026

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

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Description

Throughout Barossa and Coonawarra, pockets of carefully tended vines have been hand-selected to provide the fruit for our very best and most sought-after wines. Crafted only when all the elements of viticulture and winemaking interact perfectly, our Rare & Fine wines are the very best examples of the varieties and blends that have found a natural home here in Australia during the past five generations.
Very deep and dense red in colour. Stunningly inviting perfume of blackcurrants, rose petals, iodine, violets, fine spices, dried herbs and cedary tones. This truly epitomises the distinct character of Coonawarra and the unique essence of The Caley. Shiraz fruit merges with Cabernet Sauvignon delivering a long, silken and seamless palate with a fine, powdery tannin profile.
Tasting Profile

Light

Full

Low Tannin

Tannic

Sweet

Dry

Low Acidity

High Acidity

Aroma:

Blueberry, Boysenberry, Herbal

Palate:

Blue Fruits, Cassis, Graphite

Food Pairings:

Pork

Red Meat

Tasting Notes

Description

Throughout Barossa and Coonawarra, pockets of carefully tended vines have been hand-selected to provide the fruit for our very best and most sought-after wines. Crafted only when all the elements of viticulture and winemaking interact perfectly, our Rare & Fine wines are the very best examples of the varieties and blends that have found a natural home here in Australia during the past five generations.

Very deep and dense red in colour. Stunningly inviting perfume of blackcurrants, rose petals, iodine, violets, fine spices, dried herbs and cedary tones. This truly epitomises the distinct character of Coonawarra and the unique essence of The Caley. Shiraz fruit merges with Cabernet Sauvignon delivering a long, silken and seamless palate with a fine, powdery tannin profile.

Tasting Profile

Light
Full

Low Tannin
Tannic

Sweet
Dry

Low Acidity
High Acidity

Aroma:

Blueberry, Boysenberry, Herbal

Palate:

Blue Fruits, Cassis, Graphite

Food Pairings:

Pork

Red Meat

Yalumba

Many years have passed since Yalumba was founded back in 1849 by Samuel Smith.

Five generations and 165 years on, the winery has grown considerably from its humble beginnings. Yalumba is one of Australia's great family-owned wineries and the wines are now made by chief winemaker Louisa Rose. She was recently voted by her peers as Australia's best winemaker, heading a veritable who's-who of Australian winemakers, including; Jeffrey Grosset of Grosset Wines, Vanya Cullen of Cullen Wines, Yabby Lake's Tom Cardon, Giaconda's Rick Kinzbrunner and Clonakilla's Tim Kirk!

Acknowledged as one our top riesling producers, Louisa also loves to make the wines made from the white Rhone Valley grape - Viognier. She also has a deft touch when it comes to producing rich, inky, cellar-worthy reds.

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