Yalumba’s The Octavius joins La Place de Bordeaux

Australia's oldest family-owned winemaker has joined the prestigious La Place de Bordeaux with its Yalumba The Octavius Barossa Shiraz, a wine created with fruit from some of the oldest surviving vineyards going back to 1854, planted a year before the famous 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

France's 'La Place' is the world's oldest and most developed wine distribution system. It is operated by a network of Bordeaux wine merchants, known as negociants, whose reach into the global wine market is legendary.

A renowned specialist in the great Grand Cru Classé wines of Bordeaux, 'La Place' also invests in a 'Beyond Bordeaux' category to promote and distribute other important wines of the world.

The Octavius Shiraz is just one of a few Australian fine wines to be selected for this channel. Others include Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon and Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz. 

"I am delighted to be participating in this great adventure with our negociant partners in Bordeaux. The Octavius Shiraz reflects our heritage and the singular voice of the Barossa. It profoundly resonates with the character and feeling of our place. It is uniquely Yalumba and South Australian. I am hopeful that La Place will love the wine and what it stands for as much as we do,” said Robert Hill-Smith, Yalumba fifth-generation proprietor.

"For La Place and The Octavius, it was a case of lightning striking thrice! It showcases a franc de pied vineyard planted before the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux. It fills the missing void of a Barossa icon being part La Place's September release. Finally, it welcomes the Australian charm of the Hill-Smith family, most notably Robert, and Jessica, fifth and sixth generation proprietors, respectively", said Tom Portet, International First Growths.

"2018 Yalumba The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz is from one of the greatest vintages in memory. Its modulated power and elegant structure reflect a wonderful growing season, the exceptional provenance of heirloom vineyards, and the best of precision winemaking and maturation," said Andrew Caillard, Master of Wine.

Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz 2018 will be released on La Place de Bordeaux in September and can be purchased from selected wine merchants worldwide. Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants New Zealand remain exclusive distributors for Australia and New Zealand.