Yarra Yering : Dry Red N°2 2020

Characteristics and tasting advice for Yarra Yering’s Dry Red N°2 2020

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep crimson red hue.

Nose

The nose opens on a complex aromatic bouquet evoking violet, cranberry, and plum, backed by notes of wild blackberries and five-spice. With aeration, hints of cigar box and cardamom enrich the aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, this wine reveals summer red-fruit flavors reminiscent of pudding, supported by sweet spices and a firm yet refined tannic structure. The palate shows moderate weight with a finish marked by dry-spice accents.

Food and wine pairings

This Dry Red N°2 2020 will pair perfectly with grilled red meats, roasted game birds, or spicy dishes with Eastern influences.

Serving and cellaring

This Dry Red N°2 2020 can be enjoyed now but has cellaring potential of over 20 years. It is recommended to decant it one hour before serving to reveal its full aromatic complexity.

An iconic cool-climate shiraz from the Yarra Valley

The estate

Founded in 1969 by Dr Bailey Carrodus, Yarra Yering stands out as one of the pioneering estates behind the Australian wine revival. Located at the foot of the Warramate Hills, 60 kilometers east of Melbourne, the estate produced its first vintage in 1973. Under the leadership of chief winemaker Sarah Crowe, Yarra Yering continues a philosophy of multivarietal blends with its numbered Dry Red cuvées and its prestigious Carrodus cuvées.

The vineyard

The vines for Dry Red N°2 are planted in the Yarra Valley, a winegrowing region of Victoria renowned for its cool climate. The shiraz and marsanne come from the original 1969 plantings, complemented by shiraz planted in the 1990s. The mataro and viognier were planted between 1984 and 1995. These historic, non-irrigated parcels benefit from an outstanding terroir at the foot of the Warramate Hills.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage delivered a cool growing season, giving the wine qualities reminiscent of the great historic vintages of the Yarra Valley. This remarkable freshness is accompanied by bright acid lines that beautifully structure the wine. The harvest, down by around 30% compared to usual volumes, produced a concentrated and powerful wine despite limited yields.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Dry Red N°2 2020 are hand-harvested, then chilled overnight before being sorted and destemmed. Vinification takes place in open vats, favoring a high proportion of whole berries. Frozen viognier skins are added during fermentation. The wine is then aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which are new.

Grape varieties

Shiraz (98.5%), marsanne (0.5%), mataro (0.5%), viognier (0.5%).