Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz 2023

Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz 2023
100% Shiraz

Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia.

Vines: A single block of Shiraz planted in 1973 on a neighboring property, it was ideally located to be acquired by Yarra Yering in 1988. With a slight west-facing slope and clay-based soil, it’s perfectly suited for cool-climate Shiraz. The clone remains unknown and is unique to this block.

Hand harvested, bunches are sorted before processing as whole bunches or berries. Half of the block ferments in a 3500L oak cask; 10% whole bunch, topped up for maturation with 100% whole bunch. The remainder ferments in half-tonne open fermenters, hand plunged twice daily. Pressed to release the last fermenting juice, then aged 12 months—50% in a four-year-old 3500L cask, 50% in French oak puncheons (10% new).

"Dense ruby with rich purple tones at the rim. Blueberry, ground cumin and fennel with a touch of reductive lift on the nose. Loaded with blue fruits at the core, intense yet not overbearing. There's layers of cured meats, subtle Sichuan pepper spice and floral lifts along the line with deeper wakame and iodine tones underneath. It’s all bound by a supple acidity and finely wrought tannins, gentle in their guidance but resolute in their persistence, carrying it for an age to an eventual bright and fresh finish." 97 Points - Stuart Knox, The Real Review

"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!" 97 Points - Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion

"There’s an exaggerated impression of complexity on the nose and yet, on the palate, it’s seamless, effortless and svelte. This is some kind of wine. It’s medium in body but it has its fair share of magic dust. It tastes of red and black cherry, a flash of iodine, redcurrant and peppercorns, sap and herbs, and a variety of nut-like influences. It feels fine, and finessed, and modestly creamy throughout, though the tannin has a tickle of whole bunch to it, and a smoked herb aspect to go with it. It should also be acknowledged that the acidity of this wine has been beautifully judged. Shiraz almost always drinks well from the outset and this wine no doubt will/does as well, but it really begs to be cellared, and it will be at its best with at least a handful of years under its belt. But regardless, this wine is a thing of beauty." 95+ Points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front