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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 | 2021 |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Coonawarra |
| Volume | 750 mL |
| Closure | Screw Cap |
| Alc/Vol | 13.5% |
| Peak Drinking | Now - 2055 |
| Winemaker | Sue Hodder & Sarah Pidgeon |
An immediate lifted bouquet of scented florals and red fruits. Violets and rose petal aromas are a hallmark of a great Wynns vintage and the 2021 has them in abundance. Berries and cherries are apparent with hints of dried sage.
Fresh red and dark cherry palate is lively and alluring. Supple and very fine tannins meshed with fresh acidity. The 2021 has the piquancy of a young wine, yet it is already integrated for drinking. Chestnuts and dark chocolate are apparent on the finish.
A classic medium bodied Cabernet with moderate alcohol and the hallmark Wynns balance.
| 99 Points | Huon Hooke, The Real Review |
| 98 Points | Jeni Port, Wine Pilot |
| 98 Points | Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot |
| 98 Points | Shanteh Wale |
| 97 Points | Andrew Caillard |
| 97 Points | David Sly |
| 97 Points | Ken Gargett |
| 97 Points | Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot |
| 96 Points | Jamie Goode |
| 19.5+ Points | Matthew Jukes |
| 17++ Points | Janice Robinson |
"Very deep, dark, impenetrable purple colour; a gorgeous fragrance of spicy superripe berries and a hint of licorice, super concentrated and almost essency. Traces of soy sauce and nori. The wine is highly concentrated on the palate; powerful, profound and rich, with masses of sweetly ripe berry fruit and no sign of herbal varietal touches. A profound and multi-dimensional cabernet that will richly reward long-term cellaring. It drinks superbly already but it would be sacrilege to open it before it's had more time to build the tertiary complexity that we know will come with time."
"In one word – ‘epic’. Having just returned from ten days in Bordeaux tasting a vast number of youthful Cabernets, among other styles of wine, if this beauty had been slipped into the mix, it would have lounged somewhere near the top of the pile. John Riddoch is a pristine Cabernet with relatively low alcohol (top Bordeaux typically ranges from 13 – 14.5%), firm acidity and a reasonable percentage of new French oak (approximately 25%). This recipe sounds like one read straight from the fiche technique of a great Left Bank wine, albeit with a lower percentage of new oak(!). In reality, John Riddoch is more akin to an elite Saint-Estèphe than a typical New World Cabernet: don’t even contemplate Argentina, Chile, Tuscany, South Africa or California because the bulk of these wines are not even in the same ballpark! ’21 JR is pure, stunningly plush, deeply fruited but seemingly weightless and incredibly detailed. It is a superb thoroughbred with impeccable balance, and it is as relevant for an old-world geek as it is for a new-world disciple. It is time that Wynns John Riddoch sat alongside the acknowledged world Cabernet greats, and this vintage will undoubtedly help make this dream a reality. "
"One of the best vintages in Coonawarra for many years. Little wonder this release of the John Riddoch is one of the best since the initial release from the 1982 vintage. Aromas of violets and red berry with a slightly cherry glaze character adding further intrigue. The palate is medium weight and refined but with tremendous power and persistence. A combination of hogsheads and barriques has been used to deliver the perfect level of oak. One of the best of these I can recall."
In 2021, the Coonawarra vintage was as close to optimal as compared to the last 30 years. The preceding winter and spring were below average in rainfall. A warmer spring led to a great, fast flowering and set. Some “green harvest” was required to achieve balanced yields for quality. There were moderate temperatures throughout the season, with no extreme heat or cold. The 2021 wines have a notable colour
iridescence that follows to fruit vibrancy and depth of flavour We certainly acknowledge the 2021 vintage as a great one for Wynns.
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