A beautiful and sad occasion at FridayÂ’s lunch to drink this Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend, as this wine is no longer made by Yarra Yering. The 1997 vintage was a stunningly powerful dry white with amazing length and longevity. The 1999 was restrained, focused and beautiful. The time has come for Adair and me to try the 1998.
Colour bright medium gold. Discreet nose of ripe peach and the hint of fig. After swirling, acacia flowers, asparagus and white fruit aromas emerge with wax and butterscotch. Ripe and medium bodied on the palate with lovely smooth richness. At its peak now, finishing with tremendous length and fine dry acid. Very nicely structured with barrel ferment characters. A very good food wine from a warmer vintage.
I enjoyed drinking this and I could tell that only the driving stopped Adair from finishing the bottle in one sitting. The wine cost AU $32 and IÂ’d pay that anytime anywhere for this excellent wine. The 1997 and 1999 are even better wines that would stand against most great white Bordeaux with pride.
Cheers,
Attila
Tasted: August 2005
"(Wine) information is only as valuable as its source" DB
Nice note Attila...I've never tried the YY whites and have heard and read criticisms but always had a feeling I would like 'em. I'm having a year off wine ( with a few planned exceptions ) but that nice photo of the Yarra Yering bottle is very tempting !
Interestingly a few years ago I wrote to Yarra Yering asking to be on their Mailing List and they were good enough to send me an order form.
The form also stated that they do not keep a mailing list and to send them a self addressed envelope if I wanted to be notified of the next release. I had no problems with this at all - even seemed admirably lacking in marketing bullshit.
I never did get around to sending them a self addressed stamped envelope but nonetheless out of the blue earlier this year I was sent their nice elegant and concise list and order form anyway...perhaps even wineries like this are finding it hard(er) to sell their wines.
Also Attila I enjoyed your article on Somlo Hill recently - pity more people have not bothered to look at it - although sometimes the fact that something is neglected is a sure sign of quality !
1998 Yarra Yering Dry White No.1 - 12.5% - Yarra Valley
As is obvious from Attila's tasting note, I tasted this bottle with Attila. I also took the bottle home with just less than half of the bottle remaining. As Attila believed, the wine opened more and became more enjoyable with air time.
The butterscotch became more apparent with cream, butter, nectarine, gooseberry and a spicy floral component. Quite profound complexity but obviously ripe and New World unlike the 1999. The front is smooth and slightly waxy in flavour and feel, with excellent depth and some restraint, but the wine's class is truly shown as its opens on the long and breadth of the middle and back palate with superbly integrated, very, very fine acidity. Harmony plus! It does not have the intensity or longevity of the 1999, but it is a truly superb and complete wine. 18.5/20, 94/100, my remaining bottle will be opened in the next few months.
Pelican wrote:nice photo of the Yarra Yering bottle is very tempting!
Yes Attila, great photo!
Pelican wrote:Nice note Attila...I've never tried the YY whites and have heard and read criticisms but always had a feeling I would like 'em.
I suspect people simply did not get these wines, as I suspect that they would not show that well young, although I have never had one on release.
Pelican wrote:Also Attila I enjoyed your article on Somlo Hill recently - pity more people have not bothered to look at it - although sometimes the fact that something is neglected is a sure sign of quality !
Interestingly the Yarra Yering Dry White No.1 is in very similar style to Somlo, which is similar to White Bordeaux. I served this wine blind to Attila hoping to trick him into thinking I opened a Somlo for him but unfortunately Attila was able to pick the wine before pouring it: "No one uses cheaper bottle than Yarra Yering." And Attila was right. He could tell this from the spout of the bottle. Fortunately the corks are of exceptional quality. Bailey has his priorities right. I wish other producers did as well.
Pelican wrote:Nice note Attila...I've never tried the YY whites and have heard and read criticisms but always had a feeling I would like 'em. I'm having a year off wine ( with a few planned exceptions ) but that nice photo of the Yarra Yering bottle is very tempting !
Also Attila I enjoyed your article on Somlo Hill recently - pity more people have not bothered to look at it - although sometimes the fact that something is neglected is a sure sign of quality !
It's very nice of you Pelican to quote like this. Some notes take a bit of time and effort but worth it when I get a reply like yours.
Thank you.
Attila
Ps: May I ask, what is the reason you have a year off wine? (When I have "time off" it usually have to do with my gorgeous wife.)
Apologies for the late reply - the reason for having time off wine is my lovely partner has taken a year off work so it's fundamentally financial BUT the old Mortgage is rapidly decreasing and once that's gone - look out ! I have had some wines from my cellar for special occasions and most recently in July whilst on holidays. Also scored a few bargains at a recent auction for July drinking. Next drink due in October for my birthday !!!!
