Wednesday 31 July 2013

Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch & Michael 2010 plus more

I used to collect a lot of Wynns but I fell off the wagon when the 2001 release came out. The last few vintages have really got me excited, especially the 2010 vintage.

Coonawarra is a cooler climate with unique terra rossa soils which hlep produce full bodied cabernet that cellar well. Many of the better Shiraz wines come from soils that have a percentage of sand in them.

I tasted through these wine with Sarah Pigeon and she openly talked about the problems of the 2011 vintage, how Wynns were changing what they did in the vineyard and the future direction that they are going in. 

Wynns Coonawarra Estate White Label Shiraz 2012

Light to medium bodied but there is an intensity of flavour that works so well. The elegant flavours of plum, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg flow so well it reminds me of high class booze in the 25 - 30 buck range. The palate is plump and bouncy which all finishes with a zip of acidity. Brilliant and one of the best in a long time!

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: Street price $14.50
Rated: 87
Drink: Now - 2022


Wynns Coonawarra Estate Michael Shiraz 2010

Bloody hell this is a broody wine with plenty of silky texture and voom voom acidity. The palate is engaging with the fruit taking centre stage even though the wine spent 14 month in new and used French oak. There is great intensity of a mainly dark fruited palate spectrum. What seperates this from the white or black label is the length and vibrancy. Buy now but drink in 12 years.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $100
Rated: 94
Drink: 2023 +


Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Normally there are 20 blocks that make their way into the black label but this year only 2 blocks made the cut. This wine is set to go to the trade only as there is only a small amount produced. From the get go this screamed Cabernet in a leafy blackcurranty sort of way. On the palate the same thing came forward but the palate was a bit broad. The palate weight is higher than normal due to the extended hang time that the grape recieved but there is still a nice amount of acidity. The acidity just doesn't pull everything back together so I would recommend a shorter drinking window.

Alcohol: 14%
Price: Street price $25
Rated: 86
Drink: Now - 2019


Wynns Coonawarra Estate Messenger Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

This is a single vineyard wine made from grapes that were grown on the most southerly vineyard that Wynns takes grapes from. It is a pretty little being with lovely mulberry and sage notes that sit on a firmly structures and vibrant palate. The tannins fill the mouth but don't over power the beautiful flavours. The weight of the wine is more medium bodied, especially when you compare it to the black label, with a hint of chocolate powder and dried twigs thrown in. One for the cellar.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $70
Rated: 93
Drink: After 2017+


Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Only 3 vineyards made it into the Riddoch that is biult with muscule in mind. Even though the palate is tight and controlled the rock and roll flavours come through in the form of essence of blackcurrant, sarsaparilla, smoked brambles and spice. The polished palated is full of massive tannins that meld into every aspect of my tongue. All I can say that this is a bold Cabernet with style that is built to be drunk after 15 years.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: Strett price $110
Rated: 95+
Drink: After 2025


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