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First made in 1982, the John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon was conceived as a flagship wine for Wynns. John Riddoch himself was a true visionary. Amongst his many achievements are the building of the Wynns Gabled winery and the establishment of Coonawarra Fruit Colony.
John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon is made in small quantities from the best available fruit grown on the estate’s extensive Cabernet Sauvignon plantings in the heart of the Terra Rossa soil. It has become a definitive Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, made only in years when grapes of extraordinarily high quality are available, using less than one percent of the top-quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Coonawarra |
| Volume | 750 mL |
| Closure | Cork |
| Alc/Vol | 13.5% |
| Peak Drinking | Enjoy now - 2055+ |
| Winemaker | Sue Hodder |
Intense aromas of fresh dark cherries, complemented by a hint of mint.
Excellent persistence of soft red fruits, supported by fine tannins. This medium-bodied wine showcases the hallmark characteristics of a classic vintage. It offers perfectly ripe Cabernet, without any heaviness. The fruit is concentrated, yet the overall mouthfeel remains light and elegant. A versatile wine, beautifully paired with a wide range of dishes.
| 98 Points | Ray Jordan, Winepilot |
| 98 Points | Ken Gargett, Winepilot |
| 97 Points | Jeni Port, Winepilot |
| 97 Points | Steve Leszczynski |
| 97 Points | Huon Hooke, The Real Review |
| 97 Points | Shanteh Wale |
| 96 Points | Nick Ryan |
| 96 Points | Jeremy Oliver |
| 95+ Points | Andrew Caillard MW |
| 95+ Points | Campbell Mattison |
One of Australia’s most famous Cabernets. First made in 1982 when John Wade was the winemaker. This is pure sublime elegance that shows the evolution from the slightly heavy-handed style that emerged at one point into the wines that are seamless and refined with superb structure and balance. The bright red cherry and slightly minty leafy fruit are concentrated but at the same time present with subtlety and effortlessness. Finely focused through to a long finish that gathers momentum as it drives through. One of the best. 2025-2060+. 98 Points.
From its very first release with the 1982 vintage, this has invariably been one of Australia’s great Cabernets and its status seems to soar every year. Forty years later, this wine will only enhance that reputation. Maturation was for seventeen months in a mix of French oak barriques and hogsheads, 43% of which were new. If anyone thought that attempting to follow the amazing 2021 would be a bridge too far, this wine will have confirmed that nothing is impossible. Another stunning effort, which I have actually scored a touch higher than its wonderful predecessor. Opaque maroon, there is a refinement and suppleness to this wine, which is all a bit thrilling. There is finesse and immaculate balance. The nose exhibits an array of flavours, black fruits throughout, notably blackberries, with chocolate, tobacco leaves, plum pudding, blueberries, cassis and aniseed. Oak integration is of the highest order and the tannins are simply silk. There is great length and while the elegance is a highlight, the intensity here never wavers. A brilliant John Riddoch which has at least twenty years ahead of it – even more if you have the patience or are keen to make your grandkids think very highly of you. 98 Points.
There will be obvious comparisons to the outstanding 2021 vintage of JR which preceded this release. That is the cross to bear for any wine that follows such a top vintage. That said, from the first pop of the cork – yes, John Riddoch remains under cork – the wine slips warmly, elegantly, oh so easily into traditional John Riddoch mode. That is, it meets the drinker not only with immediate and enjoyable drinking appeal but with a stunning complexity. Flavour and tannins are anchored in deep for a long journey ahead. Impenetrable dark purple hues. Dark cherries, plum, blackberry scents rise with black liquorice, nutmeg, cinnamon, cocoa, dark earth. Flows effortlessly, smoothly, across the palate with tannins that, while dense and well defined, are fine and well-crafted. Finishes long and true. Beautiful stuff. Enjoy. 97 Points.
Overall, the 2022 Coonawarra vintage was a high-quality year without any obvious climate change impacts. After a cold start to the season, Budburst occurred in a cool spring.
Thankfully, flowering week was ideal – warm temperatures with no wind – resulting in an even berry set. The ideal flowering conditions and above average temperatures (with no heat waves) led to even veraison (red berries colouring) with minimal variability between bunches. Harvest dates ranged from late April into May. This is in line with long term average dates for Wynns Coonawarra Estate.
Vintage 2022 exemplifies the Wynns Coonawarra Estate medium bodied age worthy style.
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