Yarra Yering Dry Red No 2 Yarra Valley – 2021

Dry Red Wine No.2 is a blend of 96% Shiraz, 2% Viognier, 1% Marsanne and 1% Mataro. From vines planted mainly in 1969.

The wine is complex and layered, sweet and savoury all at once. The fragrance is a melting pot of violets, cranberry, plums, a  whisker of bramble and fragrant five spice. Moderate in weight; the summer pudding fruits come in all colours dialling up the flavour. There is cigar box and cardamom spice lending intrigue. Firm yet fine tannins ably support the fruit and texture drive the palate.   

Cellaring

Approachable in its youth, but gains complexity with age. It has a proven track record and thus will evolve for 20+ years under suitable cellaring, though medium-term aging also offers rewards.

WINEMAKING

Fruit was hand-picked, transferred across a sorting table and  destemmed directly to the Yarra Yering half-tonne open-fermenters. As much whole berry as possible is retained to encourage perfume. A small portion of fermenters had frozen Viognier skins added to the bottom. The wine was aged for 15 months in French oak barriques, 30% new before blending and bottling. 

“Deep, bright colour and a marvellous array of spice aromas, the full spice cupboard, infused with some meaty/charcuterie nuances and the overall impression is of stacks of umami. The wine is medium-full bodied and it has intensity and drive without excessive weight, the tannins chiming in with drying grip and sapidity as it drives long on the finish and resonates through its authoritative aftertaste. Superb. (96% Shiraz, 2% viognier, 1% each of Marsanne and Mataro) ” 98/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review.