96 points - "An absolutely classic vintage for this classic Yalumba cabernet (70%) and shiraz (30%) blend, showing all the tight-coiled power that has come to typify 2006 South Australian reds: dried plums and leaves on the nose, some tar and blackcurrant fruit, oak is to the back, root vegetables and cocoa powder here too. The palate is plush, silken and poised, rolling out carpet-like fine tannins and showing impressive concentration. Dark-berry fruits build with a hint of toasty oak through the finish - great length and balance here." Nick Stock, Good Wine Guide 2012
96 points - "While the FDR1A is all about power, The Signature provides a journey based on grace, elegance and purity; fresh vibrant and completely unevolved, the essency fruit is pure and poised, and the tannins are silky and fine; the vibrancy of the fruit core is electric, as is the persistence of the finish." Ben Edwards, James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2012
"A cracking vintage to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Yalumba's quintessential blend of cbaernet sauvignon and shiraz, which each year carries the signature of an outstanding employee. Matured for 22 months in American, French and Hungarian oak, it's silky and sophisticated with layer on layer of black fruit, spice and chocolate characters, wonderful balance and velvet smooth tannins. Drink with a herb-crusted leg of lamb." Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury (Aus), 17 August 2011
92 points - "Deep ruby. Pungent bouquet evokes cherry compote, cassis, pipe tobacco and rose, with notes of vanilla and mocha gaining strength with air. Deeply pitched dark fruit flavors show impressive vivacity and pick up oak spice and herb character on the back half. Dusty tannins add shape to the long, spicy, appealingly sweet finish. Drinks easily now but this has the depth and balance to reward patience." International Wine Cellar (USA), August 2011
5 stars - "Bright, intense array of aromas - black olives, plums and spices. The tannic palate is long and dense and brimming over with briary fruit. Great weight and very fresh for its age." Panel of Judges, Winestate (Aus), March/April 2011
96 points - "Of the 50 year history of Signature in a monumental vertical recently, 2006 was my wine of the day. Low alcohol coaxes out elegant perfume, glittering spice and textural pepper. Mega potential. Pity about the tree bark. Drink 2021-2031." Tyson Stelzer, Wine Taste (Aus), 8 April 2011
90 points - "This wine has the dusty bitumen road scent of a classic, old-fashioned Barossa shiraz. Cabernet lends a bright red fruit character, like persimmon, finishing with tangy acidity. It offers the comfort of a well-balanced blend, along with the potential to age." Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits (USA), February 2011
91 points - "The 2006 The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz is composed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Shiraz. Deep garnet-purple in color, it offers intense notes of blackberry preserves, warm cherries, black currant cordial plus an earthy / gamey undercurrent and nuances of marmite toast. The tight-knit medium to full-bodied palate is firmly structured with a high level of grainy tannins, high acid and just enough savory flesh giving a long finish. Approachable now, it should be best 2012 to 2018." The Wine Advocate (USA), December 2010
96 points - "Matured for 22 months in American, French and Hungarian barrels. Provides a journey based on grace, elegance and purity; fresh, vibrant and largely unevolved, the potent black-berried fruit is pure and poised, and the tannins are silky and fine; the vibrancy of the fruit core is electric. Drink: 2015 to 2030 with rare roast beef." James Halliday, The Weekend Australian, 13-14 November 2010
96 points - "A recent vertical spanning the almost 50-year history of this wine demonstrated its longevity and 2006 as one of the finest vintages in a long time. A beautifully elegant 13.5% alcohol preserves its floral lift, bright berry fruits profile and sprinkling of black pepper." Tyson Stelzer, Wine100 (Aus), October 2010
93 points - "A refined, velvet-like and evenly ripened red whose pristine presence of dark plums, blackberries, cassis and fresh dark chocolate/vanilla/cedar oak is underpinned by an appealing mix of clove-like spice and dried herbs. While it’s undoubtedly well made, finely structured, juicy and smooth, it does lack a genuine length and emphasis for a higher rating." Jeremy Oliver, The Australian Wine Annual 2011
"Yalumba Signature has a long lineage, and it almost always rewards those who have become loyal to it. Even better, it tends to drink well as both a young and mature wine. This release tastes of blackberry and vanillin, leather and mint. It’s seductively smooth, tannic but not excessively so, and long through the finish. Not a hair out of place." POINTS: 94 VALUE: four drops DRINK: 2012 - 2019 Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh, The Big Red Wine Book 2010/2011, 1 June 2010
Grapes were hand picked and crushed to 8 tonne open top stainless steel fermenters. The natural or 'wild' yeasts present on the grape skins were allowed to initiate the sugar fermentation. Cultured winery yeasts were then added to complete this fermentation. Fermentation and cap/skin management was controlled by the Yalumba designed cap plunger. The result is a wine with excellent depth of colour, richness and complexity. The grapes for ‘The Signature’ are sourced from vineyards within the Eden Valley and Barossa Valley regions. The vines are all mature with yields generally between 2 and 5 tonnes per hectare. Soil types vary from red brown earth over red clay, sandy loam over clay to sandy soils.
