Bob McDonald

9.6

The final wine at the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday night 3rd October 2024 with winemaker Sarah Crowe. Fitting that Dry Red No. 1 should be the final wine - arguably the Jewel in the Crown. Initial aromatic impressions are gorgeous. This is the 50th vintage of Dry Red No. 1. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Brief notes - blackberry, aniseed and bay leaf. A medium bodied Cabernet with M+ intensity and finishing with fine boned tannin structure. Power with poise, concentration with finesse. Will live for 20 years plus. I have been buying on an irregular basis for many years. The 1990 was a highlight. I asked Sarah, who was Chairman of the Royal Sydney Wine Show this year to compare 3 of the main Cabernet producing areas in Australia - Yarra Valley leafy fragrance, Coonawarra Mint, and Margaret River herbaceousness. At Restaurant Dan Arnold. — a month ago

Andrew Belzer

9.5

Coco powder, espresso, cassis, rich polished tannins and a long finish! — 4 months ago

Tom Garland

9.2

1 hour decant(little cloudy sediment). A wondrous dark ruby red color. On the nose: jumping from the glass are dark berries, loamy earth, oak, pencil shavings, and smoke. Taste: soft, lush, integrated wine with dark plum, currants, lots of milk chocolate, and a spiced cherry/tar medium finish. YUM! — 6 months ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.3

+1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark ruby red color. On the nose: Intoxicating/intense nose of black fruit, dark currants, worn leather, forest floor, coffee grounds, minty dark chocolate. Taste: smooth, satiny, structured, balanced wine with chocolate covered brambly blackberry, tobacco, earth, cedar, black pepper, and a herbal licorice long finish. A medium body old world style wine that shows well right now and should continue to provide more years of enjoyable sipping. — 5 hours ago

with Brenda

Norman Gennaro

9.2

It’s an Oregon wine for sure and by that I mean way lighter in body than a CA Syrah. The flavor and finish is not at all dialed down. It’s got a great nose, edge on the palate and a very long finish. — 4 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Gorgeous nose of mid season cherries, spice, delicate wood, slate, and even saltiness. Palate is super deep and has some citrus notes, dense cherry fruit, layered and fresh, From Falkenberg, Grosser Hergott and Grafenberg. Terrific freshness and purity. Love the wood spice on the nose mixed with xmas spice and citrus. Salty finish and awesome ripe tannins. Big Pinot that has great aging potential. Such an awesome wine. — 5 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

+1 hour decant(some fine/chunky sediment). A splendid crimson red color. On the nose: wonderful bouquet with plum, stewed meat, cassis, sweet tobacco, funky earth, leather. Taste: silky, finessed, balanced wine with red berries/plum, coffee grounds, cedar, tobacco, and a nice peppery pencil lead long finish. YUM! Pure class in a glass. — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Scott Kahn

9.3

Wonderfully balanced wine; deep ruby in color, dark fruit and cedar notes on the palette and perfectly integrated tannins (after 1-2 hours to open!). Moderate acidity with a long fruit-centered finish. This wine is in its prime! — 3 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.1

From a 1 liter bottle. Which frankly was marketing and sales genius by the Wanner’s.

Fruity. Sweet. Lots of oak. A bit better with some bottle age. Let this breathe for quite a bit.

Did not hold a candle to the Paul Hobbs LPV — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Meaty, charcuterie notes together with black and blue fruits. The palate is rich and savoury - full bodied on the earthy spectrum with ripe plum. Bests are an under the radar Gem in the Grampians. It should be a regular purchase particularly at the price. An average price of around $30. — 6 months ago