Had friends over for lunch on Saturday and had a match off with this 1997 Dominus with a 1997 Wynns John Riddoch - both from magnum. This Dominus I first tried at TriBeCa Grill in New York about 8 years ago and it was a wow wine for me. In fact the best Cabernet I had ever had outside of Bordeaux. No detailed notes but this was more savoury and less fruit driven than I remember. The consensus around the table was in favour of the Riddoch with me as the sole vote for the Dominus. No detailed tasting notes. — 5 years ago
At the Wynns tasting at the Downs Club with chief winemaker Sue Hodder prior to their Annual Release on Wynnsday as it is known. This is their premium Shiraz from Coonawarra. Very closed and dense. I don’t believe it was decanted and it should have been. Has huge potential and an excellent wine but just not my thing compared to the stellar John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon. Both priced the same at $120. — 6 years ago
One of Australia’s best Cabernets. Sue Hodder who is Wynns’ chief winemaker told me that only the best 2% of their wide resources of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes goes into John Riddoch. I guess it explains the continuing high quality of Black Label (the next Cabernet down in the Wynns range and an unbelievable bargain). Sue was the chief winemaker in 2008 when she made this wine and remains the chief winemaker at Wynns. See previous Delectable note as things haven’t changed much. Coonawarra Mint, cassis and blackcurrant. A full bodied palate with fine persistent tannins. — 4 months ago
2014 Shiraz — 8 years ago
Flavourful. Great drink alone wine. — 8 years ago
The oldest and the best Coonawarra Cabernet we have had this week. Singing in its 16th year. Black currant, mint and capsicum. Medium bodied, fine and long. Proves again the foresight of John Riddoch being the first to plant vines in the Coonawarra all those years ago. 180 weeks later Jim Hunter brought a bottle out to have after my Chardonnay challenge on 7th September 2024. A lovely mature Coonawarra Cabernet. — 4 years ago
No harm in that — 6 years ago
Good commercial Riesling and eminently quaffable now made without the searing acidity one often gets with young Dry Riesling. Clean Citrus flavours with a more fruit driven softer palate made for more immediate consumption but could cellar for 5 years. First tried this when the Downs Club in Toowoomba was honoured to host Wynns Chief Winemaker, Sue Hodder, one of Australia’s most celebrated winemakers. I was monopolising her time predinner as I often do - and then thought I should introduce her around to the guests. One lady said to Sue “Have you tried the Riesling it’s great”. Sue said Yes - I made It. Trying to be humble and not embarrass the poor woman. Had to be there. Their top red the John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon was incredible. 2015. Probably the best she has ever made Sue said. — 6 years ago
Alessandro Dalle Carbonare
Great wine. Very territorially Coonawara style. Crispy green tone in its youth, it’ll become really special in the decades to come. Super wine. — 3 months ago