The 2016 Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon Museum Release is a mature Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the historic Menzies Vineyard, planted on the region’s famed terra rossa soils over limestone. Released with additional bottle age from Yalumba’s Museum Collection, this wine showcases the evolution of one of Australia’s benchmark Cabernet Sauvignons. The outstanding 2016 vintage delivered concentration, balance and structure, qualities that have allowed the wine to develop impressive complexity while retaining its hallmark freshness.
On the palate, it is elegant and beautifully composed, with flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry and cassis layered with notes of cedar, leather, mocha and dark chocolate. Mature bottle development has introduced savoury nuances of tobacco leaf, bay leaf and earthy spice, while fine-grained tannins provide structure and length. Aged for 22 months in a combination of French, Hungarian and American oak, the wine finishes long and refined, with classic Coonawarra graphite and lingering dark fruit character.
Ben’s Recommendation: At Wine More Cellars, this is an outstanding choice for lovers of mature Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. The additional bottle age has brought greater harmony and complexity, while the wine still retains the freshness and structure to reward further cellaring. Drinking beautifully now with decanting, it will continue to evolve over the next 10–15 years. Pair with roast lamb, beef Wellington, chargrilled rib-eye, mushroom dishes or aged hard cheeses.
