John Riddoch Limited Release Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

One of Australia’s best Cabernets. Sue Hodder who is Wynns’ chief winemaker told me that only the best 2% of their wide resources of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes goes into John Riddoch. I guess it explains the continuing high quality of Black Label (the next Cabernet down in the Wynns range and an unbelievable bargain). Sue was the chief winemaker in 2008 when she made this wine and remains the chief winemaker at Wynns. See previous Delectable note as things haven’t changed much. Coonawarra Mint, cassis and blackcurrant. A full bodied palate with fine persistent tannins.

Rich and powerful - Cassis Blackcurrant and that trademark Coonawarra mint. From the warm 2008 vintage giving a full bodied palate - heavy and luscious in the mouth finishing with fine persistent tannins. Amazing to say a wine is still primary at 14 years of age but this is with a long runway in front of it. One of Australia’s best Cabernets and in Langtons Exceptional Category. Next one will be a few years away.

From Magnum and brought by a guest - thanks Dr Wilson. 2003 was a hot year (as it seemed to be everywhere). No detailed tasting notes but I remember it being better than expected.

Last years superlative 2015 ( the best yet Sue Hodder said) will be a hard act to follow although Andrew Caillard MW, the Bordeaux expert at Langtons has already given it 💯 points. Very youthful deep crimson with purple rim. The nose and palate are tight, brooding and latent with so much to give. Dark berry fruits on the full bodied palate. Beautifully made with a long life of up to 30 Years ahead of it. A Tour de Force. Don’t touch the first one for 5 and preferably 10 years.

Deep Ruby with purple rim - quite youthful in colour. Coonawarra Mint but overall quite restrained, latent and promising much for the future. This will cellar for decades. Black and blue fruits on the medium to full bodied palate. Fine yet stern Tannins - Medium + Acid. Crazy to say but drinking this now is infanticide at 9 years of age. Don’t touch the next one for 3 to 4 years. One of Australia’s premium Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvées. 94 points now but will eventually score 96 and higher.

Another icon of Australian Red Wine and one of our best Cabernets from the excellent 2004 vintage in Coonawarra. All of the classic Cabernet descriptors with Capsicum (Red Pepper) to the fore - also Tomato Bush and Mint. Palate has cassis and bitter chocolate flavours. Enough tannin and acid to go on for another 10 years at least. A classic.

Always going to be the highlight of the Wynns tasting and only made in years where the fruit quality and vintage conditions were exceptional. Sue Hodder said everything fell into place in 2015 and she made one of her best ever Riddochs. From less than 1% of Wynns available Cabernet fruit. Latent power on nose and palate with black fruits and balanced oak. At least a 30 year future but so balanced you could happily drink this now but one should wait at least 10 years for its charms to start showing through. A brilliant 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wow. Really, really good. It's lovely when I wine really delivers. Excellent aged Cab but for mine I didn't get much of the Coonawarra terrior. Could live for ever as this cork was fine and the wine still was easily in the zone.

Classic aged Coonawarra Cabernet from an excellent vintage. Not as herbal as Marg River. Bay leaf and tobacco VG at 24 years of age. 18+.

Leafy, tobacco; fruit remnants (from Coravin)