Warramate Syrah 2016 – Yarra Yerings Second Label

Not declassified, a true established second wine, from 45-year-old vines, crafted to provide you something to drink whilst your Yarra Yering’s come online. I tasted all three wines recently in isolation. I must admit I had to go back to the email from the winery to confirm the pricing. This is another wine that over-delivers for the price, with all the hallmarks and edges of its more prominent brother across the fence – Yarra Yering.

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 own wines under the Warramate label and in 2011 the Church Family sold the vineyards to Yarra Yering. Initially, the wine was made in their own facilities however in more recent years, Sarah Crowe (Australian Wine Marker of the Year 2017) 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 styles. The Warramate wines are more upfront, fragrant and immediately delicious with generous palate feel and fruit weight. Whereas the Yarra Yering wines are made to have more structure and tannin with very good fruit depth, that need to have a long cellaring potential.

Warramate Chardonnay 2018 – 94 pts Halliday

“Bright lemon citrus peel and orange blossom restrained by a sea spray minerality. A predominantly crunchy grapefruit tang with weight of passionfruit while the saline moorish edge from the regional acidity keeping it focused and long.” Winemakers Note

“50% unknown old clone, hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed, 75% barrel-fermented, 25% fermented in tank, matured for 10 months in French oak (10% new). Made under tight control, and its best is yet to come. Just be sure to savour the finish and aftertaste.” 94 pts Halliday

Warramate Cabernet 2017  95 pts Halliday

“Intense varietal nose in the bounds of youthful exuberance. Shows signature blackcurrant and sarsaparilla notes well supported by integrated leafy characters, synonymous with the variety. A medium-bodied “classic” claret style featuring a succulent, bright fruit layered palate integrated with earthy complexity and very fine dusty tannins. Juicy acidity underscores fruit purity and a deep, long finish, finesse rarely found at this price point.” Winemakers note.

Warramate Syrah 2016  – 95 pts Halliday

“A stellar expression of Yarra syrah. Blueberry fruit, a gentle whiff of violet-scented tension, star anise, cracked pepper and a sensitive winemaking hand that has opted for real extraction and poised tannic mettle, rather than excessive reductive handling to confer tension. This is a much more rewarding option. The palate juicy; the fruit pulpy; the tannins firm, conferring a gentle scrape of authority.” 95 points, Halliday.

To order the above please get in touch via our CONTACT US PAGE OR 02 83388033, Pete or I will get back to you ASAP. Don’t forget if you need delivery it’s a further $10 per case.

Kind Regards,

John Cuff
Head Keeper of the Bottles