Yarra Yering Dry Red No.1 2022

More Bordeaux than Barossa in spirit, Dry Red No.1 is a beautifully composed Cabernet-led wine built around fragrance, structure and longevity rather than sheer weight. Cassis, black cherry and redcurrant are layered with violet, cedar and graphite, while tobacco leaf, bay and subtle spice add a distinctly savoury dimension. The palate is concentrated yet remarkably poised, with finely sculpted tannins supporting pure dark fruit and a fresh line of acidity running throughout. As it opens, notes of pencil shavings, dried herbs and dark chocolate emerge, leading into a long, persistent finish where fruit gradually gives way to cedar, earth and mineral detail.

Dry Red No.1 has been central to Yarra Yering since Dr Bailey Carrodus produced the estate’s first commercial vintage in 1973. Inspired by the great reds of Bordeaux, it brings Cabernet Sauvignon together with complementary Bordeaux varieties, but its personality is firmly rooted in the Yarra Valley. The estate’s old vines and cool-climate setting give the wine an unusual combination of concentration and aromatic freshness, while meticulous winemaking preserves its detail and balance. One of Australia’s benchmark Cabernet blends, it is compelling in youth but built to develop considerable complexity with extended bottle age.