Yalumba

FDR1A Cabernet Shiraz

• 

  Vintage 2011
  93 points

The cool, wet 2011 season has done little to disturb one of the great blends of Yalumba, upholding impressive precision of black fruit purity and persistence. True to the year, acidity is more vibrant than ever, with a long and lively finish dominated by finely structured tannins.

• 

  Vintage 2011
  94 points The Wine Front

You kind of forget the details, but according to the back label it''s been 40 years since the first release of of the FDR1A - I figured it was a more recent incarnation of Yalumba cabernet/shiraz. It''s from Eden Valley as is it''s motif, and set to Fine Dry Red mode. It''s a leaner, lighter, tighter wine like other FDR wines before it, but suffers in a positive kind of way in it''s restraint. Aromas are spicy, peppery, just-ripe blackberry fruit, flecked with stalks and pips and grape skin. It''s tense in the mouth, tubular and energetic with dark fruit, leather, earth, and a tight, crisp finish that builds to a gentle pucker. Feels architectural, set to the Brutalist, then light on; but you admire the enjoy and watch it soften. I like this release