Yalumba The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz 2016 – an exclusive, top-tier Australian wine

Yalumba The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz 2016 is one of Australia’s most prestigious red wines. It blends Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra with Shiraz from the Barossa Valley to create a wine of impressive depth and elegance.

The Caley is crafted for wine lovers seeking something out of the ordinary. It features concentrated fruit, silky-smooth tannins, and remarkable freshness. The result is a complex red wine that combines both power and finesse.

The 2016 vintage is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Shiraz. The wine has aged for 21 months in French oak barrels, which adds extra depth and creates a beautiful balance between fruit, structure, and oak.

Two famous wine regions in one exceptional red wine

The Caley combines grapes from two of Australia’s most renowned wine regions. The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Coonawarra, while the Shiraz hails from Barossa.

Coonawarra is particularly known for its elegant Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The region’s characteristic terra rossa soil contributes to wines with structure, freshness, and intense fruit.

Barossa adds another dimension. Here, the Shiraz grape contributes body, ripe fruit, and a rounder structure.

This blend gives The Caley its distinctive character. Cabernet Sauvignon provides backbone and elegance, while Shiraz contributes depth and body.

2016 Vintage – Concentration and Balance

The 2016 growing season provided excellent conditions for the grapes to ripen. Coonawarra experienced a warm season, resulting in concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

In Barossa, warm days were followed by cool nights. This helped the grapes retain their natural freshness.

The result was a vintage with beautiful ripeness and precise structure. The fruit has great intensity, yet the wine retains an elegant balance.

Tasting Notes

Color: Deep dark red with a dense and concentrated hue.

Aroma: Complex and inviting, with black currants, dark cherries, and red berries. Subtle floral notes, herbs, and discreet oak tones add extra depth.

Palate: Full-bodied and elegant with ripe cherries, blackcurrants, and juicy dark fruit. Silky-smooth tannins provide structure, while the freshness keeps the wine lively and harmonious.

Finish: Long and nuanced with dark berries, spices, and subtle notes of oak. The elegant tannin structure carries through the lingering finish.

Aged for 21 months in French oak barrels

After vinification, The Caley 2016 was aged for 21 months in French oak barrels.

25% of the barrels were new, while the rest were previously used. This combination lends the wine complexity without overpowering the fruit’s character.

Barrel aging adds subtle spicy nuances and contributes to the wine’s structure. At the same time, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are given time to develop into a harmonious whole.

A top Australian wine with great aging potential

Yalumba The Caley 2016 is crafted with long-term bottle aging in mind. The concentrated fruit and firm structure allow the wine to evolve over several decades.

Over time, the fruit will become more ripe, while the tannins gradually soften. More complex notes of dried berries, leather, spices, and forest floor may develop.

The wine can also be enjoyed now. We recommend decanting it before serving to allow the aromas to open up.

Perfect with rich and elegant meat dishes

The Caley is an ideal companion for gastronomic experiences. The wine’s body and structure pair particularly well with beef, lamb, and game.

Try it with a juicy beef tenderloin, slow-roasted lamb, or veal with mushroom sauce. It also pairs beautifully with ripe, firm cheeses.

Serve the wine at 16–18 degrees in large red wine glasses. This allows the complex aroma to unfold and highlights the wine’s elegance.

The History of Yalumba and The Caley

Yalumba was founded in 1849 and is one of Australia’s most historic family-owned wineries. For generations, the Hill-Smith family has been dedicated to advancing Australian winemaking.

The Caley is named after Fred Caley Smith, who was an integral part of the family’s history. He was known for his curiosity and his travels, during which he explored new ideas and opportunities.

This wine was created as a tribute to that pioneering spirit. It brings together some of Australia’s finest traditions in Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Yalumba The Caley 2016 is an impressive example of Australian winemaking. A wine with great personality, elegance, and the potential to age for many years to come.

Product Information

• Producer: Yalumba
• Wine: The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz
• Product Type: Red Wine
• Vintage: 2016
• Country: Australia
• Region: South Australia
• WineRegions: Coonawarra and Barossa
• Grapes: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Shiraz
• Barrel aging: 21 months in French oak barrels
• New barrels: 25%
• Winemaker: Kevin Glastonbury
• Aging potential: Several decades with proper storage
• Serving temperature: 16–18 degrees
• Volume: 75 cl
• Contains: Sulfites
• Alcohol: 14%