24th December 2015.
An eventful year. New careers and a relocation to Melbourne, Victoria.
Something to celebrate the start of the holiday season.
2009 Yarra Yering Dry Red No1
The Yarra Yering vineyard was planted in 1969 by Dr Bailey Carrodus.
Dry grown on the north facing slopes of the Warramate Hills in the Yarra Valley, the soil is deep sandy loam shot through with bands of gravel. Good drainage, full sun and adequate elevation to avoid frosts provide an ideal terrior for quality wine making grapes.
The first vintage in 1979 consisted of the Dry Red No1, a Bordeaux blend, and the Rhone blend which was imaginatively named Dry Red No2.
The current winemaking team headed by Sarah Crowe continue this tradition.
Typically I find the No1 and 2 classic expressions of their respective style. Restrained yet powerful. Elegant wines which age with grace and offer rewarding returns for the patient. Yarra Yering wines often display the nuance and charm of old world wines rather than the clumsily overt expressions often seen in Australia.
The 2009 vintage was marked by an extremely hot and dry season. While the wines maintain their characteristic style, this hot season has produced a range of wines that are maturing quicker than the norm.
The 2009 vintage consisted of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.
Tasting Notes: 2009 Yarra Yering Dry Red No1
Decanted for around thirty minutes before drinking.
The nose displays dark fruits, cherries, aniseed, and mint. Only a slight hint of vanilla chocolate is surprising considering the wine was aged for 21 months in all new barrels.
The palette is varietal. The flavours are subtle and stylish however developed. Seamless powdery tannins combine with considerable length. Charming and moorish.
Impressive despite behaving like a vintage ten years older.
Some experts suggest this will age for another decade. I will be drinking what is remaining in the next year.
We enjoyed this with itself. Though I am sure it would be well matched with any number of dishes.
