Bob McDonald

9.1

Another great value red from Coonawarra - this from Bowen Estate. I paid $27.50 at the cellar door in 2021. Their excellent Cabernet Sauvignon was the same price. In earlier days this Cuvée showed cooler climate characteristics of white pepper - not evident in this bottle. This shows more spice, red berries and black olives. Just a medium weight palate and obviously great QPR. Interestingly in the early days of Coonawarra, Shiraz was more planted than Cabernet Sauvignon - it’s the reverse these days. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

One of Australia’s best Cabernets. Sue Hodder who is Wynns’ chief winemaker told me that only the best 2% of their wide resources of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes goes into John Riddoch. I guess it explains the continuing high quality of Black Label (the next Cabernet down in the Wynns range and an unbelievable bargain). Sue was the chief winemaker in 2008 when she made this wine and remains the chief winemaker at Wynns. See previous Delectable note as things haven’t changed much. Coonawarra Mint, cassis and blackcurrant. A full bodied palate with fine persistent tannins. — 9 months ago

Sherwin Taghdiri

8.9

Juicy aromas of plum and cherry...and a little spice.
Drinks nicely with juicy flavors of dark berries, cherry and oaky-spice. Lingers on the palate a bit and finishes with some spice. — 4 years ago

Puneet Rai

8.9

Very smooth red wine on a budget! This is the Shiraz Merlot. — 5 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.1

Cab Shiraz is not a blend I seek out generally, but this wine has become a staple in our area thanks to its annual presence at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. It is, in fact, a very nice blend of red and black fruit with a high red plum note coming through most clearly for me. The shiraz offers smoothing here, I think, rather than any distinct spiciness. I guess in the way that merlot adds a grounding to a blend, but without the earthiness. This music is all up in the trees. There's even a light tree bark note that completes the analogy. Very nice! — 5 years ago

Alex Tso

9.2

A classic. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Notes of dusty mulberries and blackberries - also olive. A beautiful balancing act of 60%Cabernet Sauvignon and 31%Merlot and 9% Shiraz. Very different to the 1996 Moss Wood had recently because of the Merlot in the blend. Good density and concentration. A class act. — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

A deep Ruby red - no hint of bricking. Coonawarra mint noticeable on the nose. Possibly drinking this a little young at 16 years of age - at least a 20 year old wine. From a warmer year showing cassis, blackcurrant, milk chocolate and a little bay leaf. Fine grained persistent tannins. Hand pruned and picked, natural yeast fermentation, matured in French oak. A gift to us from the owner and winemaker, Sue Bell. Drinking well, thanks Sue. I hope you don’t think we drank it too early. — 7 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Deep Ruby , narrow ruby pink rim . Mint , cassis , blackberry , eucalyptus. On the palate lots of dark cassis , spiced blackberry, dark cherry . High quite gritty tannin , balanced acidity . Medium length , chocolate tinged finish . This is quite austere and closed at present in comparison to the other wines in this line up , the tannins need will need more time than the Bin 389 to round out . This is also less juicy with drier tannin than the Bin 389. With more time in the glass this started to show a more nuanced , mineral and tobacco side to it . This improve over a further 10 -12 years or so and last well a further 10 — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

As per previous notes. Dense crimson in colour. Cedar, blackberry and geranium. To borrow HH’s phrase “effortless style”. Demonstrates why Coonawarra’s red dirt is marvellous for Cabernet. 96% Cabernet 4% Petit Verdot. The Tally is the top Cuvée from Balnaves. Rich, medium to full bodied. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Crimson with a Tawny rim showing its age. Mellow and resolved - round and soft at 17 years of age. Black Olive tapenade and chocolatey notes. Leading Australian Wine Scribe, James Halliday, describes Wynns Black Label Cabernet as “the most important Cabernet in Australia with a magnificent history “. The first vintage was 1954 and in a few months time when the 2018 is released it will be the 63rd. Amazing QPR - the current 2017 can be purchased for $31.90 AUD. The wine is matured in new (never more than 20%) and old French and American oak for between 12 and 18 months depending on vintage. — 5 years ago

Ryan

9.0

Beautiful Cab Sav (2009 vintage). Robust yet refined. Leave to breathe for at least half a day. Would go well paired with a robust tomato dish or a medium rare beef steak. — 6 years ago

James Gallagher

9.5

Fruited and elegant Shiraz, intense cassis with mulberries and a spicy peppery scent. Delicious Coonawarra shiraz! — 8 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.0

Nose: green pepper herbs.

Palate: lovely cab. Elegant red cherry. Nice vegetal.

$11 winebow — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Mid Ruby. Notes of mulberry, lavender, cherry and a little pepper. Medium bodied spicy palate showing cool climate characters. Drinking well at 8 years with a long future. The last one I had was in 2018. This is more the midweek quaffer Wynns Shiraz, not like their premium Shiraz, “The Michael “. Interestingly Shiraz was initially the predominant red varietal in Coonawarra before Cabernet Sauvignon took that mantle. — 7 months ago

Brett Davis

9.4

Solid. Aged well paired magnificently with beef ragu ✅ good drop — 2 years ago

David White

9.0

Deep Cherry colour and taste on palate well balanced acidity and fruit with silky mouth filling tannins and long aftertaste — 5 years ago

Lisa Saenz

9.9

Buy all the bottles! — 5 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.2

Unbelievably approachable for a wine with this pedigree upon release.
One for the ages, Coonawarra doing its thing. — 7 years ago

Prat Avi

9.5

Very good based on their price which is the best in that price range so far — 7 years ago