2023 Yering Station Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley

A wine of the outback, showing bushes of thyme and river mint. Some blackberries and mulberries. A thread of rhubarb throughout. Oak spice cloaks the wine, snug and ready to keep the ripe fruit protected over the long haul. Tannins are chewy, finely integrated and there is a carob creaminess that rounds out a long flavour profile. This is drinking very well now and will age smartly over the mid term, think 5-8 years further. A wine that reflected place and vintage very well. Go for scotch filet with a herb butter.

94 points Shanteh Wale for Wine Pilot

Few wineries can claim a history as significant as Yering Station. Established in 1838, it was Victoria's first vineyard and remains one of the great names of the Yarra Valley. After being revived by the Rathbone family in the 1990s, the estate entered a new golden era, producing wines that combine regional character with modern precision. Winemaker Brendan Hawker continues that tradition, crafting elegant, age worthy wines that showcase the strengths of the Yarra Valley's cool climate vineyards.

Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in the Yarra Valley when seasons allow for slow, even ripening, and the 2023 vintage has produced wines of purity, fragrance and balance. Fruit is sourced from estate vineyards and carefully selected sites, with thoughtful oak maturation adding complexity while preserving the variety's natural freshness and structure. The result is a Cabernet that leans towards elegance and refinement rather than sheer power.

Deep ruby garnet in colour, the nose reveals classic aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and red plum layered with cedar, tobacco leaf and dried sage. Notes of violet, graphite and subtle spice emerge with time, adding further complexity. The palate is beautifully composed, with vibrant dark berry fruits framed by fine, powdery tannins and fresh acidity. Flavours of cassis, mulberry and dark cherry flow through the wine, complemented by hints of cedar, cocoa and savoury herbs. The finish is long, persistent and finely structured, reflecting the poise that defines the best Yarra Valley Cabernet.

This is a natural partner for herb crusted lamb rack, roast beef with horseradish, venison loin or a slow cooked mushroom and lentil pie. The wine's balance and tannin structure make it equally rewarding with aged cheddar and hard mountain cheeses. While already approachable, it has the pedigree to evolve beautifully over the next 10 to 15 years, developing greater complexity and savoury nuance.

Cellaring: Drink from now through 2040.

: