Steeple Vineyard is the latest product of Yalumba’s increasing journey into regionality. This company hasn’t traditionally drawn on the northern parts of the Barossa, but has sourced from a 1919 planted plot next to the Light Pass church for some years for Octavius and The Reserve, and purchased the vineyard in 2008. Here it is, flying solo for the first time, to the tune of just a couple of hundred dozen. It’s a grand testament to Barossa subregionality, because it’s a complete contrast to everything else in the Yalumba cellar. A powerful nose of blueberry pie hails a juicy, succulent and glossy palate, layered with polished black fruits, liquorice and dark chocolate, awash with soft, silky tannins. At a laid-back 14.0% alcohol, it has a dose of restraint for this part of the world, too. Cork seal. June 2014 release