Review: Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2018. $28 well spent.

We’re on a bit of a value kick here at Australian Wine Review towers today? Between this and the Voyager? I’m a man of the people, and this Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2018 is one of the best sub $30 Barossan reds around.

I’m not sure whether you label this ‘Samuel’s Collection’ or just ‘Barossa’. Choose your label of choice, as both are on the front. This tastes of the Barossa and Grenache and dust and old vines and blue skies and old barrels. Layers of red fruit, something cooked and meaty and earthen, then a little dark brackish edges in there. It’s only medium-bodied, with minimal new oak richness, yet with a profile that feels grown up, authoritative, full-flavoured and utterly authentic. I feel like this should come with a few flecks of Tanunda dirt around the edge of the bottle. It’s a big tick to have a wine that is both ripe and generous, yet with this earthen moderation and balance.

Spot on.

Best drinking: good now, good for up to ten as a start. 18/20, 93/100. 13.5%, $28. Yalumba website. Would I buy it? Absolutely.