Wynns, John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra 2018

Second year on the Place de Bordeaux for the flagship wine John Riddoch first made by Wynns in 1982 from the best available Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in the estate’s Coonawarra vineyards. This has a lovely distinct nose full of black fruits, menthol touches and mineral wet stone notes. Plush on the palate, this has chewy but fine and barely-there tannins that grip gently and caress the fruit all the way through the palate. Incredible freshness, from generous acidity, as well as intensity and the cooling menthol elements with lively blackcurrant is so enjoyable. An excellent wine with real personality from long-standing winemaker Sue Hodder. Grapes are matured for 15 months in French barriques and hogsheads (35% new), with the remainder in 2-3 year old barrels.

This young 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon John Riddoch is a complete and stylish package that will deliver for decades to come. It initially offers up a dense core of youthful fruits including blackberry, fruit pastilles and cedar, with high quality oak already well integrated. Despite its raw power, the wine also remains composed and focused, with firm, mouthcoating tannins driving a long, savoury finish. It, again, shows the seamlessness which is becoming a hallmark of this label.

Very pure and pretty aromas of currants and black cherries follow through to a medium to full body with very fine tannins and cedar, chocolate and light spearmint in the aftertaste. Pretty finish. So drinkable now, but even better in 2023.