The Yalumba Y Series are one of my picks when asked “What’s your favourite cheapie.”  The Yalumba team have nailed varietal and value for money wines. Their 100% wild ferment (vegan friendly), so the control and precision over that much volume of wine is a credit to the winemaking team.

But from this month, there’s a new jacket to look for on the bottle shop shelves. The new Y Series label “design features 12 original pieces of artwork created by South Australian artist Cindy Durant. Each artwork is inspired by her visit to Yalumba and depicts a layer of the vineyard, from sun to soil to wind.”

Yalumba, Y Series, Pinot Grigio, South Australia, 2021

Label No.2 :”Feather” Brown pear flesh, honey suckle, lemon sherbet, navel orange, cotton sheets and nut butter. Carries a touch of varietal weight without sacrificing immediate approachability and freshness with just a touch of funk from the wild ferment.  Good for the price.

RRP: $15
Alc: 12.5%
Rating: 16.75/20 (87/100)

Yalumba, Y Series, Pinot Noir, South Australia, 2021

Label No.12 :”Bark.” No mistaking that this definitely built for early consumption. Light cerise in the glass. Cherry, strawberry jelly crystals, a touch of baked ham, fresh bread crust and a leafy freshness. Light and easy fruit wrapped around an fine boned structure. Determined to be suave and a touch of an upstart among the range, it has an easy drinkability that suggests springtime red drinking (even a slight chill may work).

RRP: $15
Alc: 13.5%
Rating: 17/20 (88/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Yalumba