Taltarni Reserve Shiraz Cabernet 2019

Drink now or cellar for 10 – 20 years.

The 2019 vintage in the Pyrenees was marked by a cool start and minimal rainfall, creating ideal conditions for slow, full ripening of red varietals. Sourced from some of the estate’s oldest Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vines, this wine reflects both the intensity of low-yielding old vines and the precision of site-specific vineyard management.

Harvested in the early morning to retain freshness, fruit was allocated to small open-top fermenters for a cold soak, encouraging a gentle, aromatic extraction ahead of fermentation. Ferments commenced naturally, with cap management via traditional French oak heading-down boards—eschewing mechanical intervention to preserve the integrity of fruit expression and structure.

Following fermentation, the wine was matured in 40% new French oak, where it underwent malolactic fermentation and extended ageing. A barrel selection approach was applied across all fermentation batches, with only the finest barrels of each varietal retained for the final blend.

The result is a seamless union of Shiraz and Cabernet: rich dark fruits, layers of anise and cedar, fine-grained tannins, and a long, savoury finish. A cellar-worthy release, showing both power and finesse.

Pair with peppered aged Angus ribeye steak.

Alcohol: 14.5%

pH: 3.64

Acidity (TA): 5.9 g/L

Pyrenees, Victoria.

95 Points & Outstanding – 2022 Halliday Wine Companion

“In the Taltarni scheme of things, this Reserve Shiraz Cabernet can look forward to a long life ahead, yet even in its youth it shows its class. This is not a showy wine, but an elegant look at the classic Aussie red, albeit with a mass of beaut, concentrated flavour. Shiraz takes the lead here, all sweet blackberries, anise and plum, with a raft of woodsy spice. The palate lays out charming florals, dark chocolate and a long thread of dried herbs, all swept along by fine-cut, silky tannins.”