Coonawarra classics: The latest Wynnsday releases simply reinforce the high standing of Wynns Coonawarra Estate

The iconic Wynns cellar door in Coonawarra

In past years, the Wynnsday release of the latest from Wynns Coonawarra Estate took on such epic proportions that it made the latest Bond film look like an amateur home movie.

Stars of the show were always the latest releases of the John Riddoch cabernet sauvignon and Michael shiraz, with support from the latest version of Black Label cabernet sauvignon and the White Label shiraz, riesling and chardonnay,

In these Covid days, it’s a more restrained occasion but John Riddoch ($150) and Michael ($150) are still the superstars of the day, with an all-star supporting cast featuring the newest Black Label cabernet ($45) and the recently added Black Label Old Vine shiraz ($45), along with more regular appearances of a couple delicious reds from the V&A Lane vineyard, usually a cabernet-shiraz blend  ($60) and a straight shiraz ($60) and an individual selection from another outstanding vineyard.

This year, the spotlight falls on a cabernet sauvignon from the 2018 vintage from the Johnson’s Block vineyard, a rich and flavoursome drop well worth its $80 asking price. All are delicious wines showing great varietal character, with the V&A Lane duo offering a fresh, fine, cool-climate take on the traditional varieties. Incidentally, the 2018 vintage has been rightly described as one of the greats in Coonawarra but the evidence of this release suggests that 2019 is right up there too.

Those prices for John Riddoch and Michael may seem steep but, given the quality and pedigree of the wines, by almost any standards they verge on the cheap. These are world-class wines that every wine-lover should try at least once in their lives, more often if they can band together with other red lovers to taste every now and then as these wines can easily take 20 years in bottle.

And a selection of Black Label cabernets from various vintages should be a starting point for any half-decent cellar. Check out the Wynns website where they offer mixed cases and some mini-verticals of shiraz and cabernet to make the task easier.

The prices quotes are recommended retail but I have seen the Black Labels selling around the $35 mark at various big outlets, which makes them excellent value.

If your budget does not extend that far, check out The Siding cabernet sauvignon, which can be found for $12-$13 in some national chains, It’s the entry level cabernet to go along with White Label shiraz and chardonnay and the cabernet shiraz merlot blend and all offer a very good introduction to the Wynns range. I suspect once you taste those you will be looking to explore the higher-priced (and more limited) Black Labels, individual vineyard and John Riddoch and Michael offerings.

The only sad note of this year’s release is the news that long-time viticulturist at Wynns Coonawarra Estate, Allen Jenkins, is retiring. He and senior winemaker Sue Hodder have formed a formidable team over the past 20 years that has driven the estate to even greater heights

For information on all these wines go to www.wynns.com.au