YARRA YERING DRY RED #1 2016

Yarra Yering, established in 1969 by Dr Bailey Carrodus, is a renowned 28-hectare vineyard in Victoria s Yarra Valley. Known for producing elegant, complex, and age-worthy wines, it gained international recognition with its first vintage in 1973. The vineyard s northerly slope, good drainage, and elevation contribute to the balanced and precise character of its wines. Current winemaker Sarah Crowe, named James Halliday s 2017 Australian Winemaker of the Year, continues the tradition of quality and individuality started by Dr Carrodus, focusing on hand-picked fruit and minimal winemaking intervention to showcase the iconic vineyard s potential. This Yarra Valley blend combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot from vines dating back to 1969. The winemaking process involves hand-harvesting, careful sorting, and a mix of crushed (for Cabernet) and whole berry (for Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot) fermentation in half-ton fermenters with twice-daily hand plunging. The wine ages for 15 months in French oak barrels, 40% new, before blending. The resulting 13.5% alcohol wine offers powerful dark berry fruits with herbal notes, Christmas cake spice, and balanced oak. It features bright acidity and solid tannins, promising excellent aging potential.