2018 John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon

Taking shape as it matures in barrel, this is a lively, feisty youth, with pronounced savoury tones wrapped around the fresh bite of ripe red plum and blackcurrant. With no signs of juvenile awkwardness, the luxurious palate is piqued with rhubarb bite and seductive cedar, resulting in a spirited tussle with the rich fruit notes. Time will tell which elements seize the upper hand. (Decanter)

Since the first vineyards were planted by visionary Scottish pioneer John Riddoch in 1891, Wynns Coonawarra Estate has built a reputation as the Coonawarra region’s pre-eminent wine producer. With the longest-established vineyards in the region, Wynns’ history is deeply intertwined with Coonawarra. Over the past two decades, The vineyards have been meticulously rejuvenated, resulting in wines which capture the true essence of the region.
John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon is the iconic wine produced at this estate, one of the best wines produced in Australia, 100% Cabernet Sauvigon grown in "terra rossa" soils, a specific terroir of the Coonawarra region. It definitely deserves its place among the great wines of the world we release in september.

ABOUT THE WINE
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.

ABOUT THE REGION OF COONAWARRA
Situated 450km from Melbourne, Victoria and 380km from Adelaide, South Australia, Coonawarra's fame hails from a natural soil phenomenon called the terra rossa, a low, cigar-shaped ridge of soil stretching 20 kilometres long and up to two kilometres wide. Meaning 'red earth', terra rossa topsoil is rich and free draining but it is also thin; five centimetres to 100 centimetres deep. It is one of the best soils in Australia for growing vines, and ideal for creating small, well-coloured berries which develop in optimal sunlight. The result is intensely-flavoured grapes perfect for premium wines.
Like many of the world’s great wine regions, Coonawarra's climate is cool and marginal. It is South Australia's southernmost wine region, positioned 80 kilometres from the Southern Ocean and cold Antarctic winds.
The vines of Coonawarra are assured a long, cool ripening period which builds the intensity of flavours slowly in the grape, creating a balanced acidity. The resulting wines are among Australia's finest for their richness, intensity, flavour and longevity.

ABOUT THE VINTAGE : 2018 – one of the great Coonawarra Vintages
Winter and Spring rainfall was excellent at 20% above long-term averages. Soil moisture was replenished, and the limestone aquifers recharged. Winter was cold, delivering good vine dormancy. Summer was warm, and therefore advanced veraison (colour change) by two weeks to the end of January. A strong coastal upwelling in the waters of the Limestone Coast cooled March temperatures and extended the ripening period. Therefore, Cabernet was harvested in line with long term harvest dates, predominantly from the last week of March through the first two weeks of April. Vintage 2018 was a very warm summer followed by a cool autumn for ripening.