Two wines from Australia’s Yalumba via Majestic
Think Sauvignon and the Loire or New Zealand probably first spring to mind — even if plenty of other places also produce it.
Think Tempranillo and your first thoughts should be firmly in Spain’s Rioja territory.
These two wines show the versatility of Barossa Valley’s Yalumba — pioneers of Viognier when the grape had almost died out, there’s more than just sunshine-in-a-glass Chardonnay and Shiraz here.
Yalumba Y Series Sauvignon Blanc 2022, (£9.49, Majestic)
They say:
The Y Series Sauvignon Blanc 2022 embodies the essence of a sun-kissed vineyard, with its label depicting the radiant sun as a symbol of the life-giving force that nourishes the vines.
It is a perfect balance of freshness and complexity with delightful aromas, including passionfruit, white flowers, and freshly cut grass, so much so this wine is like a breath of fresh air on a warm summer’s day.
With every sip, an invigorating zest of lemon and citrus freshness, accompanied by generous tropical and passionfruit flavours dance on the palate.
I say:
11.5%
pale sandy yellow; zesty citrus, pungent passionfruit and tropical citrus; melon and pineapple, ripe yellow stone fruits, lemon-and-lime salinity, fresh geen herbs with sweet spices and good savoury-leesy underpinnings.
Good.
Drinks nicely on first opening, improves with aeration and can be cellared.
Match with goat’s cheese tart, pork-and-herb terrine or saltimboca.
Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2021, (£9.49, Majestic)
They say:
The Y Series Tempranillo 2021 will bring a lively and fruity allure of this Spanish varietal to an outdoor gathering. Crafted in a youthful style without oak, its bright crimson colour catches the eye. It has alluring aromas of blueberry, black cherries, violet and tomato leaf and is silky and juicy on the palate with loads of dark berry fruit leads to a moreish, mocha-tannin finish.
The label of the Y Series Tempranillo depicts the importance of wind in the vineyard, which acts as a protective force against disease and frost and temperature regulation for consistent ripening.
I say:
14%
inky purple; dark fruit, liquorice, spice and mintiness; plush, supple and fresh with blackcurrant, blueberry and black cherry fruit, minty eucalyptus and peppery vanilla spice; freshness, good savoury underpinnings and harmonious, well-polished tannins; generously but not excessively extracted; long and saline.
Good.
Drinks nicely on first opening; improves with aeration and will repay some cellaring.
Match with pepperoni pizza, charcuterie or rare pepper steak.
