Product Description:
An Eden Valley revival of an Australian classic—structured, savoury and unapologetically serious.
Yalumba’s FDR1A—short for “Fine Dry Red”—is more than a nod to history. First bottled in 1974 and quietly earning cult status, it was revived in 2000 and refocused in 2004 with a new identity: 100% Eden Valley fruit. The 2018 vintage upholds the blend’s hallmark balance and complexity, showcasing the cool-climate finesse of Cabernet Sauvignon (68%) and the depth and spice of Shiraz (32%).
Cabernet from the Miles vineyard in Craneford brings cassis, florals and graphite structure. Shiraz from the Short’s Block near Angaston adds plush red fruits and earthy warmth. It’s a wine that builds in layers—licorice, raspberry jube, roasting meat and herbs—underpinned by precise acidity and fine tannins. Medium to full-bodied, this is no bruiser, but a poised, cellar-worthy red that delivers clarity and presence.
Best decanted now for roast lamb or aged cheddar, or cellar confidently over the next 15+ years.
Maker
Established in 1849, Yalumba is undoubtedly Australia’s most historic family owned wine company. It remains fiercely independent and progressive through the generational ownership by the Hill-Smith family. Today it is lead by Robert Hill-Smith, fifth generation & chairman. Yalumba has a long commitment to quality and possess incredible foresight in its selection of vineyard sites, new varieties and brands. Interestingly they operate the southern hemisphere’s only fully operational Cooperage, crafting bespoke oak barrels that elevate the wines aged within them. Their nursery is a global leader in wine innovation, growing, evaluating and supplying quality grape vines to the Australian wine industry.
Yalumba shares the best of what Barossa and South Australia has to offer. While the Barossa is home base, they draw on the varied climates and soil types across South Australia to make wines grown in some of the country’s finest wine regions. Barossa is arguably the single most famous wine region in Australia, comprised of Barossa Valley and Eden Valley, making it one of the only areas in Australia to have neighbouring warm and cool climate growing conditions. Yalumba is privileged to have access to some of the oldest vineyards in the world in Barossa Valley, including 1889 bush vine Grenache and 1908 Shiraz. The Coonawarra estate is on prized terra rossa soil known as The Menzies Vineyard growing predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon vines.
The Caley is the pinnacle of a long winemaking journey of excellence, that rightfully honours Yalumba’s most adventurous son, Fred Caley Smith. A blend of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Barossa Shiraz, The Caley is a classic marriage of two noble varieties and two great Australian wine regions.
Philosophy
Yalumba doesn’t just make wine—it shapes the way Australian wine is understood around the world. Since planting their first vines in 1849, the Hill-Smith family has led with purpose, pushing boundaries while staying true to a vision of authenticity and character. From pioneering fine Australian table wines to producing globally respected icons like The Signature and The Caley, Yalumba has never shied from doing things differently—always with a deep respect for site, history and craft.
This is winemaking rooted in patience, integrity, and innovation. Yalumba embraces wild fermentation, organic practices, and a proudly vegan-friendly portfolio—not as trends, but as enduring principles that produce wines of clarity and distinction. Their decision to forgo animal fining agents wasn’t driven by marketing, but by taste: to preserve the textural nuance and expressive detail that define each wine. Their organics program, underway since 2005, further reflects a long-term view on sustainability and quality.
At the heart of Yalumba’s approach is a belief in wine as a living thing—a product of soil, season and stewardship. Whether it’s coaxing out the savoury complexity of Barossa Shiraz or bottling the aromatic lift of Viognier, Yalumba's wines are unforced, layered and compelling. Every release is an invitation to explore the richness of Australia's wine landscape, led by one of its most enduring custodians.
Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Herbaceous and spiced
Currants, florals, raspberry jube and cedar with hints of earth and roasting meats.
PALATE
– Elegant density
Black fruits and liquorice meet spice, graphite and a whisper of bay leaf.
FINISH
– Polished and persistent
Fine tannins and balanced acidity draw the wine out with savoury detail and length.
Reviews & Accolades
Perfectly poised… all latent power and opulent fruit. Lovely stuff. – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion, 95 Points
Finer Details
Style: Red Wine
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Vintage: 2018
Bottle Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
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