Yalumba 'The Scribbler' Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2009
"In the reds, I love Yalumba’s 2009 The Scribbler (£13.25, Oddbins),
which typifies what Barossa does well. It is a blend of shiraz and cabernet sauvignon that delivers full-bodied bramble and redcurrant fruit and appealing nuttiness and cedarwood, wrapped in an overcoat of vanilla and sweet spices."
Brian Elliot, Scotland on Sunday (UK), 5 May 2013
94 points - "The Scribbler redefines longevity in the $20 red wine stakes, and the elegant and structured restraint of 2009 makes this one of the most age-worthy of all. With Cabernet confidently in the lead, it's crunchy, vibrant and represents brilliant value. Drink 2019-2024." Tyson Stelzer, Best of the Barossa Top 100 Wines, Barossa Living Magazine, Autumn 2013
"Apart from some of their own reliable own-label wines, it’s good to see Selfridges offering one of the best of the bunch in Yalumba’s 2009 The Scribbler Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, £12.59. I love its touch of mint and succulent blackcurrantleaf- tinged essence of cabernet flavours." Anthony Rose, The Independent (UK), 9 March 2013
90 points - "The 2009 is near enough to a 60/40 cabernet/shiraz split, and has a strong plum, cherry and juniper nose, with mint and leafy elements, violets and cedary oak. The palate's ripe yet juicy, with decent enough concentration and consistent berry and plum flavour; tannins twist very ripe to close." Nick Stock, Good Wine Guide 2013, November 2012
"Joyful, easy-to-like cabernet-shiraz blend. Light on its feet, not laboured or heavy, relaxing like having a massage in a hot country then sitting down to dinner outside as the heat fades from the day. A tangle of brambles and mulberries." Victoria Moore, www.telegraph.co.uk, 7 December 2012
94 points - "Light, bright red-purple; a 61/39% blend from the Barossa (which
includes both Barossa Valley and Eden Valley) with vibrant redcurrant,
cherry and plum fruit and a nice touch of oak. The moderate alcohol
plays a major role in making this wine as fresh and drinkable as it is."
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2013, 17 July 2012
"As a scribbler from wayback with The News et al, how could I resist a wine called The Scribbler? It’s a blend of 61% cabernet sauvignon and 39% shiraz from prime vineyards, some accessed over five generations of the Hill Smith family operation of Yalumba at Angaston in the Barossa Valley.
The Yalumba Barossa The Scribbler 2009 reinforces the company’s dedication to this classic Aussie red blend. Full bodied, it delivers red berry fruit underpinned by dark chocolate and fine grained tannins." Ross Noble, The Courier (Adelaide Hills), 27 June 2012
What I've been drinking this month - "From Yalumba, Australia’s oldest family-owned winery, The Scribbler 2009: 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Shiraz. Dark Cherry with mauve rim; aroma of blackberries and, appropriately, cherries. Sweet, positive, with crisp fruit, excellent finish and aftertaste. Mercifully only 13.5%, so we polished off the bottle. Incidentally, a novel label, as though torn from a ring-binder scribbling pad. We live and learn."
Michael Broadbent, Decanter (UK), March 2012
88 points - "A cabernet-shiraz blend (61/39), this is herbal (cabernet) up front and spicy (shiraz) in the finish. The fruit is cool and tart, the tannins a bit thick. Pour it with a steak."
Wine & Spirits (USA), February 2012
90 points - "The 2009 is near enough to a 60/40 cabernet/shiraz split, and has a strong plum, cherry and juniper nose, wiht mint and leafy elements, violets and cedary oak. The palate's ripe yet juicy, with decent enough concentration and consistent berry and plum flavour; tannins twist very ripe to close." Nick Stock, Good Wine Guide 2012
93 points - "Yalumba takes great pride in this blend. Bargain to top shelf, its dense purple colour sets your senses for action. Fragrant in its following top notes with bright, crunchy plum fruits and complex earthier elements." Tony Love, taste.com.au, Top 100 Wines, November 2011
"The fresher-faced baby of two Yalumba red blends of cabernet and shiraz, this Barossan is a light-hearted, fragrant and top note style with generous flavours of summer plum fruits. The 2006 Signature steps up into more elite territory with greater cabernet notes, more power on the palate and a great simpatico between all the wine’s elements." Tony Love, Taste Food and Wine Nationally, 14 September 2011
94 points - "Scribbler groupies (hello there!) will immediately recognise that this is a more elegant, structured and restrained rendition of one of the best value reds in the world. It's more crunchy and vibrant than ever, with cabernet in the lead. Monumentally age-worthy. Patience. Drink 2019-2024."
Tyson Stelzer, Wine Taste - Edition 23, 15 July 2011
90+ points - "The fourth release of the Scribbler I believe; time passes.
Blackcurrant and boysenberry, mint and a nice touch of cedar oak. Medium weight with Cabernet in the driving seat, it’s a juicy sort of wine with cherry pip flavours and bitter dark chocolate – perhaps a little too bitter and herbal – but interesting. Appropriately rustic coarse grainy tannin and a good finish. It’s a bit rugged, but a good wine. Tasted over two days, it looked better the second and showed little sign of development. Let’s see." Tasted : Jul11
Alcohol : 14%
Price : $21.95
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2012 - 2019 Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, July 15 2011
86 points - "Blended of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Shiraz, the 2009 The Scribbler Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz has a deep garnet-purple color and notes of crushed black currant, warm blueberries and hints of dusty earth and graphite. Medium to full-bodied with medium-firm chewy tannins and crisp acid, it’s just a little astringent in the long finish. Drink it now to 2015."
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate (USA) #192, December 2010 | 
