Wynns is privileged to have some of Coonawarra’s best quality and oldest vineyards. Each year, the Winemakers select just one parcel of wine to bottle separately. In 2015 the Messenger vineyard, in the southern section of the terra rossa strip, showed to distinction. The wine is an excellent follow-on to both the 2005 and 2010 vintages from this special and distinctive vineyard. Planted in 1975, Messenger Cabernet is a dry grown vineyard on deeper soils.
Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
---|---|
Vintage | 2015 |
Country | Australia |
Region | Coonawarra |
Volume | 750 mL |
Closure | Screw Cap |
Alc/Vol | 13.2% |
Peak Drinking | Now - 2036 |
Winemaker | Sue Hodder |
96 points | Huon Hooke |
95 points | James Halliday |
95 points | Campbell Mattinson |
94 points | Jeremy Oliver |
Silver | 2022 Limestone Coast Wine Show |
Huon Hooke
"A very intense, fine and elegant cabernet; taut and long. Dried herb and berry aromas. A suave, seamless wine with great fruit purity, harmony and finesse. Silken tannins. (Messenger is the southernmost vineyard in the single vineyard program, and needs a warm season to make it into bottle by itself. Previous bottlings were also warm: 2005 and 2010.)"
James Halliday
"Selected as the best single vineyard estate wine in '05, '10 and '15. A powerful full-bodied cabernet with strong black fruits and tannin support which guarantees its long-term future thanks to its structure and balance. Oak is part of the picture, but no more."
Campbell Mattinson
"The third release of a “Messenger” cabernet from Wynns Coonawarra Estate. Previous releases were 2005 and 2010. All the fruit here is dry grown.
It doesn’t scream its variety. Indeed it’s more plums than blackcurrants, though it does too boast the latter, and while there are bay leaf, mint and dust notes they are background singers at most. It seems straight-laced, serious and somewhat simple at first but given time to breathe it becomes more expansive. Structurally it is 100% impeccable; it will live and develop well for yonks. Subtle violets, subtle cream and/or vanilla. Tips of redcurrant. It’s a goodun’. Especially if you’re patient."
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
A warm spring with even flowering and set, giving good yields. A mild summer, and long ripening period delivered full fruit flavours and balanced acidity. 2015 is heralded as an outstanding Coonawarra vintage. The 2015 Wynns John Riddoch, Michael and Messenger are all amongst the best we have made. They reflect optimum growing conditions and careful selection.
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.