Top Rated: Shiraz

A blend of 96/1/2/1 per cent shiraz/viognier/marsanne/ mataro. Fermented with whole berries and matured in barriques (25 per cent new). A brilliant crimson red. In fact, a brilliant Dry Red Wine No. 2. There's a little reduction when first poured but it doesn't take long for this to reveal a complex amalgam of red and black fruits, iodine, graphite and melted, dark licorice. Fleshier and more refined and seductive than last year's version. Incredibly svelte tannins. Supremely balanced. I reckon Yarra Yering's founder, Dr Bailey Carrodus, would be chuffed with this. – Philip Rich