Wynns - John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon - Coonawarra 2019

matthewjukes.com

19 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe9/14/2022

After a run of glorious and exuberant Californian wines, returning to a genuine, cool climate beauty was a pleasure. Impeccably refined, minutes long and monastically peaceful and calm on the palate, this is a brilliant wine and one with a 30 life ahead of it. If it looks this good already, imagine what will happen in a decade or two. 

Jamessuckling.com

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe9/8/2022

The Wine Independent

93 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe8/24/2022

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple. It skips out with bright, vibrant notes of crushed blackcurrants, blackberry preserves, and redcurrant jelly, plus suggestions of eucalyptus, dark chocolate, and pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly crafted and refreshing, delivering lightly chewy tannins and a lifted finish.

Vinous

96 / 100

byAngus Hughsonthe8/16/2022

This 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautifully pure and refined Coonawarra expression with admirable focus. It initially teases with restrained red and blackcurrant fruits with a dusting of dried herbs before meat stock and cedar slowly rise up, all wrapped up in a cloak of fine French oak. It is the structure, however, that takes this vintage to the next level with immaculate, yet significant tannins superbly woven into a fabric of perfectly ripened fruit and fresh acidity. Despite obvious power, it is also a ballerina, precise and light on its feet before threading through to an exceptionally long and fine finish. A modern day classic - the only question is if it will drink well for three, four or five decades.

Wine Advocate

97 / 100

byErin Larkinthe8/11/2022

The refinement of coopers (a result of repeated and long-term R&D over the years) is now starting to emerge as a key part of the success of these new release, premium wines. The selected one or two coopers work to preface the fruit and support the fruit and show the terroir… This is why we drink wine: to taste the place that it came from and to be transported there, if even for a moment. This 2019 John Riddoch Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon is exceptional—it is pure and has tannic sway and flow, and the palate is steeped in five spice, raspberry, mulberry, cassis and black tea. Inchoate. Don't touch it for seven years at least. Even then...
97+

Decanter.com

96 / 100

byGeorgina Hindlethe7/5/2022

An enticing savoury element to the nose, a soft wood spicing, sweet with cedar and some soft scrubland thyme notes and just a hint of violet perfume. Smooth and super succulent, juicy and fresh, instantly lively on the palate full of direction and purpose. Crunchy and bright yet also sumptuous and filling, the tannins are plump, massy and cover the mouth but gently and delicately so you get a sense of refinement and class here while still having power and concentration. It's certainly on the ripe side, with plenty of sun-kissed, concentrated fruit as well as dark chocolate and cedar. A sense of classicism to this, it's expansive and has a lovely Cabernet menthol touch at the end which is so appealing and leaves a moreish lasting impression. Ageing 16 months in new and seasoned French oak barrels; 31% new French oak, 69% in 1-4 year old French oak (85% barriques, 15% hogsheads).

Jane Anson

96 / 100

byJane Ansonthe7/2/2022

Deep plum in colour, exotic fennel and turmeric spicing, tons of cassis and black cherry, cocoa, eucalyptus, graphite and crushed rock. This is classic John Riddoch with its powerful but understated tannic frame, building through the palate with a slate edge that slows things down, and an undertow of savoury signature Cabernet Sauvignon cedar and pencil lead. Balanced and fresh, feels almost cool climate in its precision. 31% new oak (French oak barrels and hogsheads), 3.53ph.

Decanter.com

94 / 100

byDavid Slythe10/28/2020

A fascinating peek at a work in process. Sourced from the Hobbit and Alex 84 vineyards, its rich purple colour also translates to a pretty floral bouquet laced with violets and plum blossom. It currently shows a strong, singular personality, laden with power and blackberry intensity, but winemaker Sue Hodder hints that she’d like to add other components to build a more complex personality. One to wait for with anticipation.
Drinking Window 2023 - 2055