2010 John Riddoch Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Sue Hodder. Own-rooted vines planted 1969 and 1984, 1,800 vines/ha at 55–60 m elevation. A heat spike in November was followed by a warm dry summer and late beneficial rains. Hand-picked mid April. Berry sorting, both open and static fermenters. The top vineyards for the season are selected and then the best barrels from those parcels go into the final blend. Aged for 17 months in 70% new French oak 30% second-use French oak. Again, this looks much deeper and more youthful than the 2021. Gentle and measured – very much for the table rather than the tasting table but impressive and a no-compromises expression. Black Label is the bargain though! (JR)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon John Riddoch offers an explosive mix of blackberry, blackcurrant, fruit pastille and licorice aromas. Prominent, well balanced new oak is sure to come back in time. There is immense concentration to follow with lashings of pristine blackberry, gravel and blackcurrant underscored by a rich vein of chewy tannins. A firm acid line provides freshness and energy, as well as a long, majestic finish. Don’t even think of opening this outstanding wine for at least a decade.
In a lineup of nine wines, this 2010 John Riddoch absolutely, without reservation, stole the show. Apart from being in a sublime place right now (i.e., 2022), the 2010 emerged just as the year that birthed it: very measured and even. In the mouth, the tannins are very finely knit, woven together seamlessly. It has silken flow and texture; the fruit speaks of spiced raspberry, pomegranate, iodine and ferrous, a skein of red apple skins and pink peppercorn. This is utterly beautiful, verging on majestic. It is quite possibly the greatest John Riddoch ever made. In terms of a drinking window... nowhere near its peak. Decades to go.