Wynns John Riddoch: representing the ‘ultimate selection’
Tasted during a line-up of hors Bordeaux wines from La Place in Shanghai, John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon proved why it remains the “pinnacle” of craft at Wynns Coonawarra Estate.
In November, the drinks business editor-in-chief Patrick Schmitt MW hosted a masterclass showcasing the top international wines traded on French distribution system La Place de Bordeaux.
The session, held during ProWine Shanghai, aimed to reveal why expressions from around the world have secured a place on the iconic platform.
One Australian Cabernet Sauvignon featured in the lineup – A 2020 vintage of Wynns John Riddoch.
This wine, the top expression from Wynns winery in Coonawarra, takes its name from a Scottish pioneer who was a key figure in the development of Coonawarra as a wine region in the late 19th century, and founder of the winery. Wynns itself takes its name from Samuel and David Wynn, who bought Riddoch’s estate in 1953.
This wine was the first Australian wine to be distributed on La Place de Bordeaux, featuring initially in the September 2021 campaign.
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typically less than 1% of Wynns’ Cabernet harvest, the John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon is drawn from two or three of the producer’s most distinguished, mature vineyards at the heart of Coonawarra’s prized terra rossa soil.
Sue Hodder is senior winemaker at Wynns, which is owned by Treasury Wine Estates. She joined Wynns in 1993 and has served as chief winemaker since 1998. Throughout that time, her focus has been to “ensure John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon remains the pinnacle of our craft”.
Indeed, it represents the ultimate selection; first produced in 1982, the wine is only made in the best years.
Presented as part of the masterclass in Shanghai, Hodder explains that the wine has significance in China.
“I know that Chinese collectors value the quality of Wynns John Riddoch as Coonawarra’s premier wine,” she says. “History and proven performance matter, yet what matters most is the wine in the glass. Our style is medium-bodied, with moderate alcohol around 13%, crafted to pair seamlessly with the diverse cuisine of Shanghai and beyond. The wine complements the food rather than overwhelms it; the pristine Cabernet berries are vivid in the aroma and palate, carried by fine tannins and elegant length.”
Tasting notes
An intensely-flavoured, hugely-persistent, yet restrained pure Cabernet Sauvignon representing a pinnacle in terms of quality from Coonawarra. A complex array of characters can be found in this youthful expression, with ripe blackcurrant joined by a touch of cherry stone and laurel leaf, then subtle cedar and chocolate notes too, along with fine, dense, tannins. In essence, this is an elegant Cabernet, but with plenty of personality, and a structure to ensure this wine will age wonderfully. Patrick Schmitt MW
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