In the best Coonawarra vintages, Wynns winemakers Sarah Pidgeon and Sue Hodder have the privilege of selecting one single vineyard to bottle separately. They choose from a small group of Cabernet vineyards that have their own important stories to tell. Notably, Wynns very first single vineyard label was the 2001 Harold Vineyard and, in 2013, Harold was selected again. The 2018 is an excellent continuation to beautifully showcase the quality and terroir of this special vineyard. The Harold Vineyard was planted in 1971 on a shallow ridge in the terra rossa soil. It was named after Harold Childs who farmed the area prior to selling the land to Wynns.
Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
---|---|
Vintage | 2018 |
Country | Australia |
Region | Coonawarra |
Volume | 750 mL |
Closure | Screw Cap |
Alc/Vol | 13.4% |
Peak Drinking | Now - 2040 |
Winemaker | Sue Hodder |
98 points | Ray Jordan |
97 points | David Sly, Decanter |
97 points | Jane Faulkner |
96 Points | Andrew Caillard MW |
95+ Points | Mike Beanie |
95 Points | Angus Hughson |
95 Points | Jeremy Oliver |
94 Points | Tyson Stelzer |
Silver | 2022 Limestone Coast Wine Show |
Aromas of bright lifted violets and classic red cherries.
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 – an ideal finish.
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.