YALUMBA THE CALEY CABERNET/SHIRAZ 2012

YALUMBA THE CALEY CABERNET & SHIRAZ 2012 – South Australia

Iconic Australian Blend | Monumental, Elegant, and Exceptionally Rare

Region: South Australia, Australia
Grape Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz
Producer: Yalumba
Style: Full-bodied, powerful, refined, and built for decades of ageing

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Magnificent and deeply complex, revealing layers of blackcurrant, cassis, blackberry, dark plum, blueberry, cedar, cigar box, graphite, dark chocolate, espresso, violets, and exotic spice. As the wine opens, notes of mint, eucalyptus, tobacco leaf, leather, and savoury herbs emerge, showcasing the remarkable harmony between Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Palate:
Rich, concentrated, and impeccably balanced, with flavours of cassis, ripe blackberry, black cherry, plum, licorice, dark chocolate, cedar, black olive, and sweet spice. The Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structure, precision, and freshness, while the Shiraz adds depth, richness, and velvety texture. Despite its immense concentration, the wine remains elegant, vibrant, and remarkably poised.

Structure:
Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins, vibrant acidity, and extraordinary depth. Produced only in exceptional vintages, The Caley represents the pinnacle of Yalumba's red winemaking, combining premium Cabernet Sauvignon from the famed Coonawarra region with old-vine Barossa Shiraz. Matured in fine French oak, the wine is built for long-term cellaring while already displaying exceptional balance and refinement.

Finish:
Exceptionally long, seamless, and beautifully persistent, lingering with notes of black fruits, graphite, cedar, cocoa, spice, and savoury complexity. Noble, polished, and profoundly satisfying.

In Summary

Yalumba The Caley 2012 is one of Australia's greatest Cabernet-Shiraz blends and the flagship wine of Australia's oldest family-owned winery, founded in 1849. Named in honour of Fred Caley Smith, a member of the sixth generation of the Hill-Smith family, The Caley celebrates Australia's most iconic red wine blend by marrying the elegance of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon with the richness of Barossa Valley Shiraz.

The 2012 vintage is regarded as one of the finest early releases of The Caley, offering extraordinary concentration, precision, and harmony. Frequently compared with Australia's greatest wines—including Penfolds Grange and Penfolds Bin 707—The Caley has established itself as one of the country's modern icons. While immensely enjoyable today with extended decanting, it possesses the structure and balance to evolve gracefully for decades.

Vintage Notes

The 2012 South Australian vintage provided near-perfect conditions across both Coonawarra and the Barossa Valley, producing fruit of exceptional ripeness, purity, and balance. The resulting wine combines remarkable concentration with freshness and elegance, making 2012 one of the benchmark vintages for this iconic blend.

Drinking Window

Now: Outstanding with 3–4 hours decanting
Peak: 2025–2055+
Cellaring: Exceptional long-term ageing potential

Food Pairing

• Dry-aged ribeye or porterhouse steak
• Wagyu beef
• Slow-roasted lamb shoulder
• Venison and game meats
• Beef Wellington
• Truffle-infused mushroom dishes
• Aged Cheddar, Comté, or Parmigiano Reggiano

Yalumba The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz 2012 is a masterful expression of Australia's most celebrated wine blend—combining the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the richness of Shiraz to create a wine of extraordinary power, elegance, and longevity. It stands proudly among the finest wines ever produced in Australia.