TN: 1996 Yarra Yering Dry Red No.1

[kenzo]

Picked this up relatively cheaply the other day, and couldn't resist popping the cork on my first ever Yarra Yering.

Day one - great fruit purity, currants, acidity, tannin. Only sampled a small amount as I waited for the wine to open up.

Day two - wow - creamy cassis/currants, floral component on the nose, cedar/cigar box, a touch of mocha, sublime. Some bell pepper/capsicum on the finish - sweeter rather than greener. A super wine.

Day 3 - starting to tire a bit - opened with a touch of oxidised characters that somehow cleared and the wine came to display some more tertiary notes, with the capsicum/cassis combo ending the medium-long finish (not as green as early/mid 80s Coonawarra).

I’d drink within the next 5-10 depending on how you like it. This bottle was in top condition and although I preferred it on day 2, I was overall impressed throughout. If drinking in one sitting I would decant for a couple of hours and enjoy it opening further in the glass.
Tannin structure and acidity en pointe given the age (tannins lush, fine, and mouth filling without being overly drying) and the fruit to balance the entire package.

[Hacker]

I agree that YY, especially their Dry Red No1 is as good as anything out of the Yarra Valley. Others may not agree but I rate it above Mount Mary Quintet. You can put almost any world class cabernet blend against them and it will more than hold their own.

[Dang]

I had my 01 YY Dry Red No1 for dinner with my friends and had similar experience to you. I however double decanted the wine at 8-9 am and the wine was served at 6-7 pm. It was perfect as mentioned, considering the second red for the night was a 02 Cullen Diana Madeline.
Still have 4 left to taste! Cheers ... Dac.

[Peter NZ]

This is an all time favourite of mine, and was probably my WOTY in 2018. Funnily enough I opened this for a local tasting group the week before last. No one picked it as Australian, with most picking it as 90s, probably 98, Hawke’s Bay. My impression was consistent with your day 1 note - cool climate, but with nothing out of place.