Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No.1 Yarra Valley Cabernet A feature of the Langton’s Classification since its 1990 inception, “No . 1” remains one of Australia’s most sought-after Bordeaux style blends. It is principally a Cabernet Sauvignon affair, with Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot playing supporting roles. Described as a “classic claret-style”, it features bright, blackcurrant fruit characters, savoury complexity and fine-grained tannins. Originally made by the late great Dr Bailey Carrodus, this flagship of the Yarra has been in the hands of Sarah Crowe (James Halliday’s 2016 Winemaker of the Year) since the 2013 vintage.

The 2017 Haut-Bailly is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Very deep garnet-purple colored, it has a wonderfully spicy nose of cinnamon stick, cloves, anise and fenugreek with core of roses, warm blueberries, black forest cake and black raspberries plus hints of underbrush and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied with firm, ripe, grainy tannins, it has oodles of freshness and great finesse, continuing bright and energetic on the long, minerally finish.

"Lynch-Bages is an iconic fifth growth of Pauillac and has the distinction of having produced the only wine that has ever been sent into space. Established in the early 1700s, the wine was labelled Chateau Jurine Bages at the time of the 1855 classification, later renamed in recognition of earlier owners the Lynch family. Jean-Charles Cazes purchased the property in the 1930s, later passing the management of the estate to his grandson Jean-Michel Cazes who modernised the winery and was a prolific spruiker of not just his own wines, but those of all Bordeaux throughout the 70s and beyond. Now managed by the next generation, (another Jean-Charles) Lynch-Bages continues to produce Cabernet Sauvignon-led wines of great concentration, offering ripe cassis and enviable cellaring potential."