The 2008 Dry Red No. 1 is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot and is matured in 100% new oak. With a deep garnet-purple color it is scented of warm blackberries and black currant, eucalyptus, some cinnamon, pencil shavings, and dark chocolate. The palate is a little tight and restrained yet displays remarkable intensity supported by medium to firm finely grained tannins and high acidity. The finish is very long. Give this beauty a good 5 years cellaring, and consider drinking it 2015 to 2025. Along with Giaconda, one of the most incredible visits during my recent tour of Victoria was Yarra Yering. I'm pleased to report that the new owners have not done a thing to compromise the spirit or unique methods of the late Dr. Bailey Carrodus. The winery's GM, Tim Hampton, has been with the winery since the 1980s and will remain there for the foreseeable future ensuring that techniques and quality remain consistent at this historic landmark. I arrived in the midst of the harvest and got to witness this very special winery in action. The original vineyards here were planted in 1969, today remaining unirrigated and low-yielding. The crux of the winemaking is to maintain single vineyard purity achievable by small batch fermentations in vats that were designed by Dr. Bailey to be manageable by a single man. Therefore all the wines are made in 90 custom built, wooden, square shaped, 600 kg fermenters, which neatly equate to one hogshead barrel of wine. Stalks are part of the red winemaking, a combination of natural yeasts and cultured yeasts are used, and acid is never added. The wines are not filtered, and they have their own bottling unit so that the entire job is finished on the site. After the trials of the 2007 vintage (bushfires came dangerously close to the winery that year), Yarra Yering has emerged in 2008 firing on all pistons. The 2008 line-up is extraordinary, particularly considering the challenges of the vintage. Not all these wines are available in all markets, but they can be found for a limited time at the cellar door if you're willing to make the pilgrimage - and you should consider it!Importer: Old Bridge Cellars, Napa, CA; www.oldbridgecellars.com

Fresh and vibrant, with a thin veil of firm tannins wrapping around a lean core of minty, red pepper–accented black cherry fruit, finishing with refinement. This shows vibrancy, but feels tight. Needs cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Best from 2013 through 2020. 50 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Victoria / Yarra Valley Select to Add

(65% cabernet sauvignon, 15% each of merlot and malbec and 5% petit verdot): Vivid red. Perfumed aromas of raspberry, cherry, fresh rose and tobacco. Silky and sweet, offering energetic red fruit flavors and notes of mocha and candied flowers, with a hint of anise in the background. Supple tannins add shape to the very long, smoky, penetrating finish. This wine's vibrancy and fruit expression give it early appeal but this bottling has a solid track record for aging, as a recent bottle of the superb, slowly evolving 2002 proved recently.