Dry Red No. 1 is where it all began for Yarra Yering, and in 2022, it’s once again a masterclass in what makes the Yarra Valley one of Australia’s great Cabernet regions.

This is a wine built on the strength of its foundation - Cabernet Sauvignon from the very first plantings in 1969 - blended with Merlot, Malbec and a splash of Petit Verdot from neighbouring blocks. Every parcel is treated with reverence: whole berry ferments for fragrance, open-top fermenters for texture, a mix of new and seasoned oak, and one third of the Cabernet gets the royal treatment with eight weeks on skins in a 3,500L oak cask.

This is a glorious wine. A wine of depth and quiet power. Dark fruit, fine tannins, just enough grip, and a savoury undercurrent that builds with every sip. It’s polished, but not flashy - in every sense a benchmark of the famous Yarra Valley Cabernet wine style.

It's a wine destined for great things. Winemaker Sarah Crowe knocked this out of the park. It should be an essential part of any serious Australian cellar.