Iconic South Australian winery Wynns Coonawarra Estate’s recently released 2021 vintages are a brilliant showcase of the region’s signature Terra Rossa soil.
Wine aficionados – particularly those who adore their assertive Cabernet Sauvignons – will be familiar with Coonawarra, one of the six (and arguably the most beloved) sub appellations in South Australia’s Limestone Coast winemaking region. And while all of these subregions share several characteristics highly desired among wine enthusiasts, Coonawarra is probably the most famous among them. It’s certainly the one synonymous with the region’s Terra Rossa soil, which features a thing, bright red clay topsoil overlaying a porous limestone base.
And no conversation around Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignons will fail to include mention of Wynns Coonawarra Estate. Wynns is possibly the foremost winery in the region, its quality Cabernets flying the Coonawarra flag around the world. Its latest 2021 releases are an excellent vintage that showcase the potential of Terra Rossa soil.
Comprising five expressions, this year’s annual Wynnsday release from Wynns are to be progressively rolled out across the world – the Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Black Label Old Vines Shiraz 2021, Glengyle Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, V&A Lane Shiraz 2021, and the V&A Lane Cabernet Shiraz 2021.
Yes, Shiraz is also synonymous with Wynns.
“Wynnsday 2023 is headlined by the 66th vintage of one of Australia’s most cellared wines, Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon, and sees the return of Black Label ‘Old Vines’ Shiraz made predominantly from our two oldest vineyards,” says senior winemaker Sue Hodder who has been with Wynns Coonawarra Estate since 1993, who along with winemaker Sarah Pidgeon have been key custodians of the winery’s rich winemaking heritage for over 25 years.
What’s special about the Terra Rossa soil composition is that it not only provides excellent drainage and helps regulate the region’s wild diurnal temperature swings, but it also imparts distinctly mineral qualities to the grapes. This gives Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignons its signature dusty cocoa and rich chocolate notes in addition to currant and ripe red berry flavours, a hint of tobacco, and a sometimes perceptible graphite edge.
You’ll taste these flavours all to varying degrees across this Wynnsday 2023, 2021 vintage range. The Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, in particular is classic Coonawarra, bursting with its bold yet elegant melange of ripe red fruit, underpinned by toasty oak, espresso and dusty cocoa. Oh that signature dusty cocoa! Its muscular acid backbone also means that the wine is going to age exceedingly well.
Unfortunately Singapore isn’t going to see the full Wynns Coonawarra 2021 range, with only the Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 and Black Label Old Vines Shiraz 2021 destined for our shelves. You’ll find them retailed islandwide in early 2024 in-store and online at Cold Storage, on Redmart and Amazon, as well as at specialist wine retailers Bottles & Bottles and The Cellar. Prices are to be determined.
Watch out for them.
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