2023 Yarra Yering Dry Red No.1

Yarra Yering remains one of Australia’s most revered wineries, seamlessly blending tradition with modern excellence. Under the guidance of winemaker Sarah Crowe, the estate continues to craft elegant, age-worthy wines that showcase the finesse of the Yarra Valley.

Dry Red No. 1 is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 15% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot. The Cabernet component underwent extended skin contact, including fermentation in a 3500L upright oak cask. Maturation lasts 15 months in French oak barriques, 35% of which were new.

Other Reviews...
A blend of 58/23/15/4% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/malbec/petit verdot, the cabernet coming from the original '69-planted vineyard. Matured in barrique (35% new). A deep, bright purple. Classic cool-climate cabernet aromas of black cherry, blackcurrants, cedar, licorice and subtle iodine. The palate is simultaneously concentrated, structured and refined, finishing with an ironstone minerality. Approachable now with food, but anyone who buys some will want to make sure they still have a bottle, or three, 10 to 15 years from now. Drink 2025-2040.
99 points
Philip Rich - James Halliday's Wine Companion

2023 was Sarah Crowe’s tenth vintage at the helm of Yarra Yering. I don’t have exact percentages but Dry Red No. 1 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
If ever the word classic was apt, it’s here and now. This wine is polished, fresh and to an extent, fruit forward. And yet everything about it feels or tastes like old money. There’s just nothing earnest or try-hard about it. It’s a complex, lengthy, fluent cabernet with leaf matter and peppercorn characters strewn through redcurrant, musk, mint and red cherries. There’s a smidgen of blackcurrant here too but it doesn’t attempt to be dark or inky or anything like that. It’s more about medium-bodied charm. And charming it certainly is. Drink 2029 - 2039+.
95 points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front