Wynns Black Label Cabernet is a true icon of Australian wine. First produced in 1954, it has a reputation for ageing gracefully and displaying excellent varietal and regional characteristics. The wine is produced from only the top quality 20 to 25 per cent of Cabernet Sauvignon fruit grown in our terra rossa vineyards.
A wine of style and stature - and a perennial favourite in auction circles - ‘Black Label’ is one of Australia’s most collectable wines and Australia’s benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon. It consistently delivers potential for medium to long-term cellaring.
Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
---|---|
Vintage | 2018 |
Country | Australia |
Region | Coonawarra |
Volume | 750 mL |
Closure | Cork |
Alc/Vol | 13.7% |
Peak Drinking | Now - 2040 |
Winemaker | Sue Hodder |
97 points | Ray Jordan |
96 Points | Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion |
96 Points | Andrew Caillard MW |
95 Points | Jeremy Oliver |
94 Points | David Sly, Decanter |
93+ Points | Mike Bennie |
93 Points | Angus Hughson |
93 Points | Tyson Stelzer |
Nose of Dark cherry and lavender imbued with underlying dried mint.
The 2018 Black Label Cabernet is a combination of dark fruit and finesse. Initially the palate is soft and round, but a fine tannin framework provides structure and length on the palate. A beautifully balanced, medium- weight Cabernet with all the hallmarks of this 20heritage label. Pristine varietal cabernet fruit balanced for guaranteed cellaring.
Coonawarra, on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, is a flat, isolated region almost mid-point between Adelaide and Melbourne. The area enjoys a cool maritime climate - similar to that of Bordeaux - and is renowned for its unique terra rossa soil. Rich, rust coloured soils… crimson sunburnt faces… magenta sunsets: this is red wine country! While Coonawarra is famous for its rich, minty Cabernet, the area also produces Shiraz and Merlot and surprisingly good Chardonnay and Riesling.
Vintage Conditions
2018 is an excellent Coonawarra Cabernet vintage. Very Intense purple colours are coupled with varietal fruit and ripe tannins. Winter and Spring rainfall was excellent at 20% above long term averages, soil moisture was replenished, and limestone aquifers recharged arm Summer temperatures advanced veraison by two weeks, to the end of January. A strong coastal upwelling cooled March, and extended the ripening period such that Cabernet was harvested in line with long term harvest dates (6th April) predominantly from the last week of March through the first two weeks of April. The yields were moderate, and the slow cool ripening was very even.
Sue Hodder is one of Australia’s best-known winemakers and this year celebrates her 27th vintage with Wynns – making wine from wonderful, expressive fruit grown in the heart of the terra rossa. Sue commenced her career as a viticulturist and believes her early viticultural training – assessing vines, analysing mature fruit and tasting the finished wine – gave her an invaluable insight into the importance of the vineyard in quality winemaking.
Sue brings valuable experience with vintages in other noted wine regions around the world and has judged extensively in Regional, National and International wine shows. She is the recipient of many accolades including GT Wines ‘Winemaker of the Year’ in 2010 (with viticulturist Allen Jenkins); and most recently ‘Winemaker of the Year’ (with Sarah Pidgeon) at the 2016 ASVO awards.