Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 1 2016

A very reserved, elegant and regal nose, showing subtle yet confident aromas of freshly picked blackcurrants, lead pencil, cassis, dried herbs, cedar, iodine and crushed stones. The palate is very polished and seamless with velvety tannins, a beautiful line of acidity that’s wonderfully integrated and a very long finish. Hard to resist now, but better in 2025. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec and petit verdot. (6/2018)

66% cabernet sauvignon, 16% merlot, 15% malbec, 3% petit verdot, hand-picked and berry-sorted, the cabernet crushed, the other varieties whole-berry fermented in half-tonne open fermenters, hand-plunged twice-daily, some of the cabernet with extended post-ferment maceration, matured separately in French oak (40% new) for 15 months. Profoundly juicy and rich, yet kept under tight control by the web of ripe tannins, oak part of the structure and texture but not flavour per se. It is a wine that you can sit with for a prolonged examination and discussion, and still not cover all its characteristics or ask all the questions. (8/2018)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2013 Dry Red No 1 (Bordeaux Blend) has notes of black currant, crushed blackberries and blueberries with hints of Provence herbs, lavender and baking spices. Medium-bodied, finely constructed and elegant in the mouth, it has fine, grainy tannins and a nice lively lift to the long finish.