Australia’s oldest family-owned winery, Yalumba, is preparing to release the 52nd vintage of The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz, with the 2023 vintage dedicated to a man whose words have shaped the wine’s legacy for more than three decades – Peter Sawrey.
Each year, The Signature honours an individual who has made a profound contribution to Yalumba’s culture and traditions. Personally chosen by fifth-generation proprietor, Robert Hill-Smith, the company stated the Signatory becomes part of a lineage etched into the fabric of the winery. Last year’s release was dedicated to Yalumba’s former executive director of sales Australia & New Zealand, Paul Midolo.
Yalumba head winemaker, Sam Wigan, described the 2023 vintage as a very stylish and elegant Signature, beautifully structured with precision on the palate.
“The 2023 growing season was cool and mild, with slow and steady ripening, delivering concentrated fruit purity and lovely natural acidity,” said Wigan.
“There’s an alluring floral nuance with sage and liquorice notes. The palate shows layers of coffee, blue fruits and spice with long, flowing tannins, enjoyable now and destined for graceful ageing.”
For 33 years, Sawrey has been the voice behind Yalumba’s Signature lineage. Since 1994, he has written the back label story for every vintage of The Signature; interviewing each Signatory, distilling their character and contribution, and translating Yalumba’s history into the words that travel with every bottle around the world.
“An authentic wine must have an authentic recipient, and the 2023 wine is a ripper,” said Hill-Smith.
“The Signatory dedication is an important tradition for our family business. It is wonderful to see it grow within our company, with the wine trade, and with people drinking The Signature around the world.”
Sawrey joined Yalumba in 1988, contributing across events and marketing, and was asked in 1994 to interview Peter “PJ” Wall for the back label of the 1990 vintage – becoming an annual tradition. Even after retiring from Yalumba in 2009, Sawrey was invited to write The Signature’s back label.
“I am moved. I have dreamt about this day,” said Sawrey.
“I have enjoyed writing the stories of Yalumba’s Signatories all these years, and now I look forward to writing my own!”
Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz 2023 will be available from 1 May, for RRP $74.00, with a pre-release opportunity via yalumba.com.
