Of all categories, other than perhaps grenache, this was the one where there was the most agreement. All the wines were served blind and yet the iconic Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 3 streeted the field. There was also, quite rightly, strong support for Swinney Farvie Mourvèdre 2021, the latter producer going close to winning this category last year as well.
2024 Other Reds and Blends of the Year
Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No. 3 2021, Yarra Valley
97 points | Price when tasted $110
A blend of 35/35/12/7/6/5 per cent touriga nacional/tinta cão/tinta amarela/tinta roriz/alvarelhão/sousão, all sourced from 1990 plantings. Yarra Yering and winemaker Sarah Crowe have hit the jackpot with their superb line-up of 2021 reds. Five trophies for three different wines at the 2022 Yarra Valley Wine Show, including the trophy for Best Red Wine in Show for this wine a testament to that. Founder Bailey Carrodus originally planted these Portuguese varieties to make fortified wine. While the odd fortified is still made here, it's the Dry Red Wine No. 3 – a modern-day classic – that benefits. A totally gorgeous wine that's hard to put down once you've had a sip, this exhibits a riotous array of red and black fruits, wildflowers, dried herbs, licorice root and cocoa nibs. Medium bodied and fragrant in the mouth, too! Gently chewy, well-knit tannins make this wine a total joy to drink in its youth, yet it will still be looking good five to seven years from now. – Philip Rich
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More top-rated other reds and blends from the 2024 Companion
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Domenica Wines
Nebbiolo 2019
Beechworth -
Hewitson
Barrel 1853 Shiraz Mourvèdre 2020
Barossa Valley -
Mordrelle Wines
Malbec Lagrein Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021
Langhorne Creek -
Yarra Yering
Dry Red Wine No. 3 2021
Yarra Valley -
Anderson & Marsh
Parell Tempranillo 2021
Alpine Valleys -
Bekkers
Syrah Grenache 2021
McLaren Vale -
Bondar Wines
Monastrell 2021
McLaren Vale -
Bremerton Wines
Bâttonage Shiraz Malbec 2021
Langhorne Creek -
Charles Melton Wines
La Belle Mère Barossa GSR 2019
Barossa -
Cobaw Ridge
Lagrein 2021
Macedon Ranges -
Eldorado Road
Riserva Nero d'Avola 2021
Beechworth -
Emilian
Yarra Valley L'assemblage Rouge 2022
Yarra Valley -
Frankland Estate
Isolation Ridge Vineyard Mourvèdre 2021
Frankland River -
Giaconda
Nebbiolo 2019
Beechworth -
Hewitson
Barrel 1853 Shiraz Mourvèdre 2019
Barossa Valley -
Hewitson
Old Garden Vineyard Mourvèdre 2020
Barossa Valley -
John Duval Wines
Annexus Mataro 2021
Barossa Valley -
Mayer
Nebbiolo 2022
Yarra Valley -
Mayford Wines
Porepunkah Tempranillo 2021
Alpine Valleys -
Mitolo Wines
Masso Montepulciano 2021
McLaren Vale -
Mordrelle Wines
Basket Press Barbera 2020
Langhorne Creek -
Mordrelle Wines
Basket Press Tempranillo 2021
Langhorne Creek -
Neldner Road
Kleinig Mataro 2017
Barossa Valley -
Pipan Steel
IX Alpine Valleys Nebbiolo 2018
Alpine Valleys -
Pizzini
Coronamento Nebbiolo 2018
King Valley -
Seppeltsfield
No. EC3 Tinta Cão Tinta Amarela Touriga 2021
Barossa -
Sinapius
Esmé 2021
Tasmania -
Swinney
Farvie Mourvèdre 2021
Frankland River -
The Lane Vineyard
Heritage Shiraz Viognier 2020
Adelaide Hills -
Thomas St Vincent
Blewitt Springs Provencale Rouge 2020
Fleurieu -
Thousand Candles
Gathering Field Shiraz Malbec 2021
Yarra Valley -
Yarra Yering
Dry Red Wine No. 2 2021
Yarra Valley -
Yarra Yering
Light Dry Red Pinot Shiraz 2022
Yarra Valley
The 2024 Halliday Wine Companion is available now. Secure your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide here – and at all good bookstores.
This is an edited extract from the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by James Halliday, Campbell Mattinson, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Mike Bennie, Ned Goodwin MW, Philip Rich and Shanteh Wale. Cover art by Ka Mo.