This month marks the highly anticipated release of the Yarra Yering 2020 vintage. Winemaker and general manager Sarah Crowe says the wines from 2020 are full of grace. "The cool growing season’s influence on the wine style is reminiscent of historical Yarra vintages and has a very traditional Yarra Valley harvest energy."
While the unsettled weather has impacted the yield (by about 30%), Sarah says the cooler season is present in the fragrance of the wines. "Medium in weight and bright acid lines. It’s a small but mighty harvest."
Yarra Yering, one of the Yarra Valley's oldest and most beautiful vineyards, was established in 1969 by Dr Bailey Carrodus. The winery released its first vintage in 1973 (including the first of the iconic Dry Red Wine No. 1 and Dry Red Wine No. 2). The release was the first commercial vintage the region had seen in 50 years, putting Yarra Yering at the forefront of the modern day Yarra Valley wine region. Almost another 50 years on, the vines at the foot of the Warramate Hills are producing some of the finest wines in Australia.
Sarah Crowe joined Yarra Yering in 2013 after more than a decade in the Hunter Valley. She was lured to Victoria by the winery's impeccable reputation and the desire to produce cool-climate wines. In 2017 Sarah was named Halliday's Winemaker of the Year for the wines of 2014 – her very first vintage with Yarra Yering. Working harmoniously alongside her is Yarra Valley's homegrown vineyard manager Andrew George, who celebrates 10 years with the winery in 2022.
Together the two continue to refine the winemaking process, while always working under the philosophy of Dr Bailey Carrodus – to grow the best fruit possible and carry that meticulous detail into the winery. Sarah says the aim is for Yarra Yering wines to speak of place. "Small batch fermentation, hand plunging, and gravity filling to an underground cellar are all keystone elements of making our premium wines. They represent the Yarra Valley, our vineyard site as well as the styles and blends that our reputation was built on."
Discover four of the 2020 wines below.
2020 Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 1
60/20/15/5% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/malbec/petit verdot. The cabernet fruit was destemmed and crushed, the other varieties kept as whole berries. Matured 15 months in French barrel (40% new). A deep, bright crimson-purple hue. Essence of great cabernet with its core of blackcurrant and boysenberry fruit, as well as a complex assortment of cardamon, coriander seed, black tea and gentle, fresh tobacco leaf. Just as good on the detailed, layered and persistent palate. There is a coolness and restraint to the cassis fruit that builds, culminating in a long, chalky tannin finish. A complete and beautiful wine. Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 97 points.RRP $140 | Drink to 2035 | yarrayering.com
2020 Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 2
Shiraz with 3% mataro and 1% viognier, the latter added as skins to some of the fermenters. Matured 15 months in French barriques (30% new). A deep crimson red. Concentrated with redcurrants, satsuma plums and blackberries along with fennel seed, olive tapenande, dark chocolate powder and a little fresh vanilla from the oak. A complete wine on the palate with its dark sour-cherry fruit, a slight savoury edge and firm, very fine tannins providing the structure for this to age well into the decade and beyond. Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 points.RRP $125 | Drink to 2032 | yarrayering.com
2020 Yarra Yering Underhill
From a 3.2ha block of shiraz, planted on the far western side at Yarra Yering in 1973. Half was fermented with 20% whole bunches in one 3,500L old oak cask, pressed and returned to this cask to mature for 12 months. The other half was matured in puncheons for 12 months. A very bright, medium crimson purple. A riotous amalgam of aromas including blueberries, potpourri, licorice root, Szechuan pepper and caraway seeds. Medium bodied and elegant, this has terrific viscosity and the tannins are oh, so powdery and fine. Gorgeous now and over the next 10 years or longer. Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 97 points.RRP $125 | Drink to 2035 | yarrayering.com
2020 Yarra Yering Agincourt Cabernet Malbec
75/25% cabernet/malbec. Mainly berry sorted and destemmed with a small amount of whole bunches. Matured in French Bordeaux-style barriques (15% new). A deep crimson red. Fragrant with darker red fruits, freshly hung meat and a lifted floral, herbal character from the malbec. An open, confident, bright and quite delicious Yarra cabernet. Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 94 points.RRP $105 | Drink to 2028 | yarrayering.com
For the month of May the winery is hosting tastings of the Yarra Yering and Carrodus new releases. Tickets to the one hour sessions are $50 per person and include a tasting of eight wines. You can book your visit to the Yarra Valley Tasting Room here. The Yarra Yering 2020 vintage is available now from yarrayering.com.
