2021 Warramate Cabernet Blend – Baby YY No.1
The 100-pointed 2021 Yarra Yering Dry Red No 1 Cabernet Blend sold out in a matter of hours last week, there were many disappointed astute collectors. When trying to secure more from Sarah at Yarra Yering she mentioned that the Warramate Cabernet, from the same vintage, is a Baby Dry Red No 1 from a 10/10 vintage….. I asked if I could have some… She said yes… and best of all, it’s only $34.
As we have a great deal of new fresh faces starting their Wine Ark journey of late, I thought it pertinent to recant the Warramate legacy and let them in on the secret.
Not declassified, a true established second wine, from 55-year-old vines, crafted to provide you something to drink whilst your Yarra Yering’s come online.
A little history. The Church family were the original owners of the entire section at the base of the Warramate Hills. In the 1960’s, they sold off one section to Dr Carrodus to build Yarra Yering, and another block to James Halliday to build Coldstream Hills. They kept a spectacular north-facing slope overlooking the central Yarra Valley for themselves.
They proceeded to make their wines under the Warramate label and in 2011 the Church Family sold the vineyards to Yarra Yering. Initially, the wine was made in their facilities however in more recent years, Sarah Crowe has been crafting the wines in the Yarra Yering winery with all the same love and attention as the YY’s.
Sarah differentiates the two vineyards by style. The Warramate wines are more upfront, fragrant and immediately delicious with a generous palate feel and fruit weight. Whereas the Yarra Yering wines are made to have more structure and tannin with very good fruit depth, which need to have a long cellaring potential.
Let’s not forget Sarah Crowe has steered Yarra Yering to become one of the most awarded wineries in the county including taking out the triple crown as the Halliday Wine Companion, Gourmet Traveller & The Real Review winery/winemaker of the year!
2021 Warramate Cabernet Blend
The Cabernet Sauvignon was planted in 1970 and again when the vineyard was expanded in 2000. Some Merlot was available post blending the Yarra Yering wines and so they were able to utilize that here to build depth to the palate. Make up, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 15% Malbec.
All fruit was handpicked then destemmed directly to a series of 600kg fermenters. The Cabernet Sauvignon berries are crushed to aid in the extraction of tannins, Merlot was a whole berry ferment for plushness as was the Malbec. Maturation in small French oak barrels for 15 months.
“A deep-ish crimson red. Another successful, vibrant fruit-driven red from Warramate. Aromas of freshly picked cherries and a hint of bell pepper and cedar lead onto the medium-bodied, quite delicious and fine-boned palate. Ready to trot, but all good if you still have some in the cellar four to six years from now.” 94 Points – Halliday Wine Companion – Philip Rich
All the best,
John Cuff
Head Keeper of the Bottles