Elegant yet powerful, with silky tannins and great length, it will cellar for more than a decade – a benchmark Coonawarra blend.
Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) was matured for 18 months in French oak barriques and hogsheads (40% new), while the Merlot (10%) rested in seasoned oak before blending and bottling.
NOSE - Leafy, cedar and raspberry coulis.
PALATE - A classic medium bodied style cabernet with red berry fruits and choc mint flavour. Flavours are paired with juicy acidity, silky tannin structure, and savory finish.
97 points – Ray Jordan – Wine Pilot 2026 – “This was a superb vintage in Coonawarra and this blend of old vine cabernet sauvignon from the Evans Vineyard and some merlot has really produced something quite exceptional. The aroma shows a blackberry, black currant combination with a light lift of red fruits. Typical Coonawarra leafiness is there, but this is fully ripe leafiness and with the fine silky tannins and judicious use of oak, it really does come together rather beautifully. A wine that exemplifies and highlights the Coonawarra elegance of red wines. This is certainly one of the best.”
96 points – Ken Gargett – Wine Pilot 2026 – “Petaluma's Yellow Label Cabernet Merlot,from the Evans Vineyard, is one of our most like iconic Coonawarra reds. Even more exciting when it comes from a thrilling vintage for the region like 2021. The wine spent a year and a half maturing in French oak barriques and hogsheads, 40% of which were new. The blend is 90% Cabernet and 10% Merlot. This is as good a version of Yellow Label as I can recall for many years. An opaque maroon hue, there is still oak evident here, but integration is proceeding well. The nose reveals notes of chocolate, plums, cassis, tobacco leaves, black fruits, leather, coffee beans, cocoa powder, cold tea and blackberries. Complexity is already shining through. There is superb focus and serious length, through to the silkiest of tannins. Really impressive balance throughout, this is stunning stuff and will offer at least two decades of pleasure.”
96 points – Tony Love – Wine Pilot 2026 “A Coonawarra regional classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) and Merlot (10%) from the Evans Vineyard that has been a special wine in the Petaluma portfolio for decades. It rises with wafts of blackberry more than blackcurrant, though not in any way removed from each other, charry cedar and woody spices holding the two as honest associates. It spills with energised palate structures, a delightful freshness despite its depths, and reverbing aromatic flavours, while its expected varietal tannins are right there in unreserved support. Impressive provenance that remains timelessly appealing.”
