Yarra Yering : Dry Red N°1 2021

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Dry Red N°1 2021 from Yarra Yering

Tasting

Colour

The colour is a deep, dense and brilliant ruby, reflecting the concentration of grapes from naturally low yields.

Nose

The nose reveals dark fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant) lifted by a rustic briny touch, intermingled with bay leaf, a blend of warm brown spices and a hint of subtle oak.

Palate

The palate, medium to full-bodied, is built around a vibrant heart of fruit supported by the refreshing acidity characteristic of the Yarra Valley. The tannins, extremely fine and perfectly calibrated, carry a long, taut finish that points to considerable ageing potential.

Food and Wine Pairing

This wine pairs ideally with grilled or roasted red meats, dry-aged beef, game, lamb and mature cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

This Dry Red N°1 2021 benefits from being decanted before serving to fully reveal its aromas and soften its tannic structure.

A Delicate Australian Wine with Beautiful Structure

The Estate

Yarra Yering is an estate founded in 1969 in Gruyere, in the Yarra Valley, in the state of Victoria, by Dr Bailey Carrodus, a scientist and winegrower who was behind the region's viticultural renaissance. Since 2009, the property has belonged to Ed Peter and Reid Bosward, who also own Kaesler Wines in the Barossa Valley. Technical direction is overseen by Sarah Crowe, winemaker and general manager since 2013. The estate, certified Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, cultivates its vines without irrigation and has earned an international reputation for its Cabernet Sauvignon blends.

The Vineyard

The vines used for the Dry Red N°1 are planted in Gruyere, in the Yarra Valley, on the foothills of the Warramate Hills. The plot enjoys a northern exposure and a slight elevation that limits the risk of late frosts. The soils, made up of grey clay-loam crossed by bands of gravel, offer efficient drainage while retaining a water reserve useful to the dry-farmed vines. This absence of irrigation, combined with low yields, promotes a natural concentration of the fruit.

The Vintage

The 2021 year began with a cool, rainy winter and spring, replenishing the soil's water reserves without disrupting flowering or fruit set. The rest of the season proved dry and cool, providing ideal conditions for slow, even ripening. This long ripening period allowed the grapes to develop aromatic complexity while preserving vibrant acidity and moderate alcohol levels.

Winemaking and Maturation

The Dry Red N°1 2021 is crafted from hand-harvested, carefully sorted grapes, then vinified in small batches in the 0.5-tonne open "tea chest" fermenters designed by Bailey Carrodus. Depending on the batch, stems may be reintroduced during fermentation in baskets that allow for controlled extraction. The different grape varieties are then matured separately in French oak barrels in the estate's underground cellar, before being blended ahead of bottling.

Grape Varieties

This blend is based on Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate's dominant variety, complemented by Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.