2019 John Riddoch Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

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...

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.