96 Points James Halliday — A Yarra Valley Legend at Full Maturity

Yarra Yering is one of Australia's most revered and storied estates — a winery that has been quietly producing some of the country's greatest wines from its historic Yarra Valley vineyard since 1969. Founded by the legendary Dr Bailey Carrodus, Yarra Yering became famous for its two flagship reds: Dry Red No. 1 (a Bordeaux-inspired blend) and Dry Red No. 2, a Rhône-inspired blend of Shiraz, Viognier, and Marsanne that is unlike anything else produced in Australia. The No. 2 draws inspiration from the great wines of the Northern Rhône — co-fermenting Shiraz with a small proportion of white Viognier and Marsanne to add aromatic lift, silky texture, and extraordinary complexity. The 2004 vintage was exceptional in the Yarra Valley, delivering a long, cool growing season that produced wines of remarkable finesse, concentration, and natural structure. Now over two decades of age, this bottle is drinking at the absolute peak of its powers.

Tasting Notes

Fragrant red and black fruits on the bouquet — lifted, perfumed, and hauntingly complex. The Viognier co-fermentation adds a signature floral dimension of violet and white blossom that weaves through the dark fruit core with extraordinary elegance. On the palate, the wine delivers a wonderfully fine and silky mouthfeel, with lovely red fruit flavours, the finest tannins, and seamless oak integration that speaks to two decades of patient cellaring. The finish is long, savoury, and mineral — one of the best Dry Red No. 2s ever produced. 96 Points, James Halliday.

Style & Drinking Window

Medium-bodied with extraordinarily fine, fully resolved tannins and a long, silky, mineral finish. The wine is drinking beautifully now and represents the pinnacle of what cool-climate Australian Shiraz can achieve with age. Drink over the next 3–5 years to enjoy it at its most expressive. Decant for 30–45 minutes to allow the full aromatic complexity to unfold.

Food Pairing

The silky tannins, fragrant red fruit, and savoury complexity of the 2004 Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 2 make it a sublime match for Australian Sher Wagyu Rump Cap M8/9 Steak from My Meat Man. The wine's violet, red fruit, and fine spice notes complement the extraordinary fat marbling and deep beefy richness of M8/9 Wagyu beautifully — whether slow-roasted whole, reverse-seared and rested, or sliced thick and served medium-rare with a simple herb butter.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$888, the 2004 Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No. 2 is one of the most compelling fine wine opportunities on our shelves. Rated 96 Points by James Halliday and described as one of the best Dry Red No. 2s ever produced, this is a wine that commands serious attention from any collector or fine wine enthusiast. Comparable aged Yarra Yering — when available — regularly trades at significantly higher prices through auction and specialist merchants. At HK$888, this is exceptional value for a wine of this pedigree and maturity.

Looking for a Different Style?

- 2009 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier — a 97-point Canberra District icon with extraordinary aromatic complexity and silky structure
- 2015 Henschke Mount Edelstone Eden Valley Shiraz — an elegant, perfumed Eden Valley Shiraz with great finesse and a long track record of excellence
- 2010 Torbreck RunRig Shiraz Viognier — a monumental Barossa Shiraz Viognier with extraordinary depth, power, and age-worthiness