Meet the 2021 Wynnsday Release | Wynns Coonawarra Estate

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The 2021 Wynnsday release represents a golden era at Wynns Coonawarra Estate. The two vintages in the release – 2018 and 2019 – are as strong a pair as I have seen in my three decades at Wynns. Each of the collection wines individually epitomizes our classic house style.

The 2021 release sees the return of our flagship wine, the John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon. Our clear philosophy is that we only release this wine – classified by Langton’s as ‘Exceptional’ – in high-quality vintages from the very best parcels. In addition, our Michael Shiraz 2018 makes a welcomed return. This wine is our best-of-vintage Shiraz, with best-quality fruit sourced from select parcels of vineyard in Coonawarra. It is also only released in the best years. Our Black Label wines in the 2019 vintage are also shaping up to be exemplary of the range. The Cabernet is a perfect amalgam of freshness, balance and power that will certainly reward careful cellaring. In addition, our Black Label Shiraz is a superb example of Coonawarra’s cool-climate style – the fruit was sourced from our oldest shiraz vineyards, including Undoolya, which was first planted in 1894.

Each vintage we select a premium parcel from a single vineyard to bottle separately, and for this release we have chosen The Johnson’s Block. Planted in 1954, Johnson’s Block is the oldest surviving Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in Coonawarra. These heritage vines produce a distinctively fine and aromatic dark-fruited wine, and our 2018 vintage is no exception. Floral and distinctive, with a cool acidity that drives a long finish, it is Johnson’s Block terroir at its very best.

Lastly, it wouldn’t be Wynnsday without our V&A Lane Shiraz and Cabernet Shiraz wines. V&A Lane is a special area residing among the patchwork of Wynns vineyards on the famed terra rossa strip. The mature Shiraz vineyards along V&A Lane ripen early and are some of the first picked each season. As a result, our 2019 Shiraz is fresh and bright, with layers of flavour and aromatic spice notes. The 2019 Cabernet Shiraz is co-fermented to create a layered and harmonious style, with unique tannin structure. The extra time on skins after ferment has taken the naturally rich fruit into savoury and complex territory.

We’ve loved making these wines and we are so excited to share them with you.

Sue Hodder, Chief Winemaker