Red Wine Yarra Yering Dry Red No 1 2016. Decant 1 hour before serving. From Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia, the Yarra Yering Dry Red No 1, a Sarah Cowe product, provides the ultimate experience for red wine enthusiasts. A slightly biased sommelier will award this medium-bodied crimson a 99 rating, but an aggregate of 140 critics gave it 93. As a trophy winner, this red wine is undoubtedly top five among the sophisticated wine series originating from Yarra Yering, the most iconic vineyard in the region. This seamless blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot certainly lives up to its hype. Vibrant notes of mild tobacco, blackberry, dried herbs, black currants, cedar, and iodine dominate the aroma of the Yarra Yering Dry Red No 1. Subtle punctuation of mineral acidity provides excellent balance in the background. It is smooth and refined with a well-blended lengthy acidic finish on the palate. The handpicked grapes are picked and blended with their proportions being 66% cabernet, 16% merlot, 15% malbec, 3% Petit Verdot. After hand-sorting, the individual batches are fermented in small fermenters, with portions of Cabernet spending prolonged periods with their skins. The individual constituents are kept in separate oak barrels for 15 months before maturation. It greatly rewards patience with quality and elegance. It goes well with beef and venison.
2016
Red Wine Yarra Yering Dry Red No 1 2016
Red Wine Yatir Mt. Amasa 2016. Yatir is a truly unique project in the Yatir Forest on the edge of the Negev Desert where the arid, sunny conditions are ideal for premium winemaking. The Yatir Forest is a remarkable feat of human endeavour, having succeeded despite the warnings of scientists that trees could not grow here, and these wines are testament to this special collaboration between nature and man. Their Mt. Amasa cuvee is sourced from selected plots set at up to 900 metres above sea level in the Yatir Forest and is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz as well as a dash of Petit Verdot and Malbec. Once in the winery the grapes are vinified separately and then aged in a combination of small oak barrels and large 5000 litre casks. This helps to preserve the natural character of the grapes while also adding complexity and polish. Bursting with wild berries, savoury herbs and bitter chocolate on the nose, this powerful full-bodied wine combines firm tannins and a well-built structure with a long finish and subtle freshness. The robust flavour profile makes it a fantastic partner for hearty dishes such as barbecued ribs, beef stews, or pappardelle served with a rich ragu sauce.
2016
Red Wine Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. The racy label that graces this bottle actually led to the wine being banned in the US state of Alabama, catapulting the winery into the limelight both at home and abroad. Luckily this big, dark and handsome Cab does live up to the seductive imagery, flaunting alluring aromas of red cherry jam, cardamom and cedar which deepen and intensify on the palate to ripe blackcurrants and blackberries. Behind these luscious ripe fruit flavours that dominate the entry there’s a distinctive earthy and spicy character that reminds of a cigar box and a satisfyingly firm structure. This multi-layered wine is an excellent steak companion thanks to the full body and powerful flavours, although the Gladiator Cab also partners well with hearty tomato pasta dishes or smoky meat from a simple summer barbecue. Each year winemaker Adam LaZarre carefully selects the grapes for this wine from quality vineyards in California’s Central Coast region. The area is blessed with numerous appellations which produce top Cabernet Sauvignon, allowing Adam to customise his own blend and choose grapes which can give a focused expression of both the variety and the terroir while still offering amazing value for money. Adam also mixes in a little Merlot and Syrah in the blend to bring a touch of spice and softness on the palate.
2016