Yarra Yering has released its 2023 flagship wines – marking winemaker Sarah Crowe’s 10th vintage

The annual release of Yarra Yering’s ‘core four’ wines is always hotly anticipated. These wines are consistently celebrated by wine enthusiasts, and our Tasting Team regularly scores them within the high 90s.

Thankfully, the 2023 vintage – which was released on April 1 – has met these high expectations. It consists of the 2023 Dry Red Wine No. 1, 2023 Dry Red Wine No. 2, 2023 Underhill Shiraz and the 2023 Agincourt Cabernet Malbec.

The Yarra Yering team also bottled up one Carrodous wine, which can be thought of as its reserve range. These small-batch wines are only made when everything works out perfectly, and when the core range doesn’t require these top parcels of fruit for blending.

Speaking of this, winemaker Sarah Crowe shared, “There’s only one Carrodus wine this year – the Viognier — and it absolutely earned its place. We produced just one barrel, and it met all the quality markers I look for. It’s more restrained than in a warmer year, but unmistakably viognier from the moment you taste it.

“My first priority is always our core range: Underhill Shiraz, Dry Red Wine No. 2, Agincourt Cabernet Malbec and Dry Red Wine No. 1. To ensure these wines are the best they can be every vintage, it sometimes means holding back our very best parcels – the ones that might otherwise go into a Carrodus bottling – to elevate the quality and consistency of the core wines.”

Sarah also shared that this was a tough vintage for her and the team. “La Niña brought higher-than-average rainfall, which negatively affects flowering and fruit set – ultimately resulting in lower yields (down around 17 per cent) and increased disease pressure," she says.

“Cooler temperatures are another hallmark of La Niña, and the 2023 summer was certainly a cool one. That meant we had to be patient – waiting for flavour to develop and tannins to ripen before we could begin picking.”

Despite this tougher year, Sarah is incredibly proud of what her and the team have produced. Speaking to each of the core four wines, she shared: “There’s a delicious immediacy to both Underhill Shiraz and Agincourt Cabernet Malbec – they’re vibrant and approachable in their youth.

“Dry Red Wine No. 2 isn’t far behind, though it does carry a firmer tannin profile that will benefit from a little more time in bottle. Dry Red Wine No. 1, however, is the one to lay down. With its structure, balance and energy, it has the potential to cellar beautifully for up to 20 years – if you have the patience."

2023 was also a very noteworthy year for Sarah, marking her 10th vintage at Yarra Yering. During this time, she has garnered many accolades – including being named Halliday Winemaker of the Year in 2017, and helping Yarra Yering win Winery of the Year in the 2022 Wine Companion.

Speaking to her time at Yarra Yering, Sarah commented: “Ten years have absolutely flown by! I’ll admit I was a little nervous stepping into the role at Yarra Yering, given the history and reputation of the vineyard – but more than anything, I was excited to work with fruit of this calibre.

“Over the past decade, we’ve built a fantastic team who share the same passion and commitment to every wine we make. One of my proudest moments was being named James Halliday’s Winery of the Year in 2022 – an honour that speaks to the consistency and quality across the entire range. That kind of recognition isn’t something you achieve alone; it’s a true team effort.”

Looking towards the next few years, Sarah says her "goal remains the same – to keep striving to make better wines each year, while continuing to care for and give back to this remarkable site. It's a privilege to work with a vineyard that produces such distinctive, age-worthy wines, and I want to ensure it's thriving for generations to come.”

To celebrate her 10th anniversary, Sarah’s 2023 portfolio will be available for tasting at the Yarra Yering Tasting Room throughout May, plus the team will host a special tasting event on May 4 featuring 10 consecutive vintages of Underhill Shiraz. This will give guests an in-depth look at the evolution of this wine, with a focus on its shift toward fruit purity and less oak influence.

You can find more about this release via the winery’s website, and read Halliday taster Philip Rich’s tasting notes below.

Yarra Yering 2023 Dry Red Wine No. 2

A blend of 99.5/.05% shiraz/viognier. Fermented with whole berries and matured in barriques (30% new). The cool vintage shows through in what's a lovely and elegant rendition of this Yarra Valley classic. Aromas of red and black fruits, spices and ironstone together with a gentle meatiness. Medium bodied and supple. An approachable and quite delicious Dry Red No. 2 that will provide copious amounts of enjoyment now and over the next 10–15 years. – Philip Rich, 97 points

RRP $130 | Drink to 2040

Yarra Yering 2023 Underhill Shiraz

From a shiraz vineyard planted in '73 adjacent to Yarra Yering. 10% whole bunches and matured mainly in puncheons (15% new). Perfumed with aromas of cherry, cassis, a floral nuance and freshly ground black pepper. On the palate this medium-bodied and elegant wine is a little more compact and precise than the Dry Red No. 2. The tannins are superfine and persistent and, while this may not quite have the staying power of the previous two vintages, it will still age gracefully for a decade, if not two! – Philip Rich, 97 points

RRP $130 | Drink to 2035

Yarra Yering 2023 Agincourt Cabernet Malbec

A blend of 70/30% '95-planted cabernet and '90-planted malbec. Matured in French barriques (15% new). A medium bright crimson purple. Complex aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant, pencil shavings and potpourri spices. Good depth on the medium-bodied, finely tuned and gently crunchy palate. Lingers nicely and will give pleasure earlier than the '22. – Philip Rich, 95 points

RRP $110 | Drink to 2032

Yarra Yering 2023 Carrodus Viognier

From vines planted in '82. Whole-bunched pressed to oak. The skins are frozen (to be used in the Dry Red Wine No. 2). A little more restrained than the '22. Aromas of perfectly ripened apricots and a touch of dried honey lead onto the palate, which is gently textured without being remotely oily. Long. Excellent. – Philip Rich, 96 points

RRP $190 | Drink to 2029