2018 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon

"Wynns Coonawarra Estate was founded by Scottish pioneer John Riddoch, who was a true visionary. He planted vineyards and completed the three-gabled winery in 1891.

In 1951, the Wynn family purchased the iconic winery and vineyard, convinced of the region’s potential to produce top-quality wines. Melbourne designer Richard Beck’s now iconic woodcut of the winery’s façade adorns the first wine released under the Wynns Coonawarra Estate label in 1952. The true essence of Coonawarra – varietal character with finesse.

Today, Wynns Coonawarra Estate is Coonawarra’s leading wine producer and largest vineyard operator, with the longest established vineyards in the region. Led by Sue Hodder (Senior Winemaker since 1998) and Allen Jenkins (Wynns Viticulturist), Wynns wines are regarded as benchmarks for the district, praised for their consistent quality and depth of flavour.

In vintages where the grapes are considered exceptional, two flagship red wines are made: the John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon and the Michael Shiraz. A series of single vineyard wines is further evidence of Wynns' depth; a heralded vineyard is selected and the wine is named in its honour.

First created in 1982, John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship winery for Wynns, as John Riddoch himself was. His many achievements include the construction of the Wynns Gabled winery and the founding of Coonawarra Fruit Colony. John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon is made in small batches from the finest available fruit grown on the estate’s extensive Cabernet Sauvignon plantings in the heart of the terra rossa soil. It has become a quintessential Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, made only in years when exceptionally high quality grapes are available. Less than one percent of the top quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are allowed into John Riddoch.

In the glass, John Riddoch has an intense dark red colour with great depth and clarity. On the nose, the wine is pure, focused and refined. Beautifully balanced acidity and freshness ensure that this wine will live gracefully for 30 years. The soft and juicy ripe cassis flavours are combined with a mocha-like creaminess of French oak. Beautifully structured. A fine tannin line frames powerful fruit and offers all the characteristics of a great John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is only made in the top years and this 2018 is the successor to the 2016. Decant in its young years and pour into a large glass (burgundy)