July 18, 2021 - The first vintage of Riddoch made by John Wade. I have not had this wine for many years but i had 2 bottles in the cellar and thought i would try it against a 82 Yarra Yering Dry Red 1 as a comparison. The nose was quintessential Coonawarra Cabernet through and through. Even could fool a punter with some lovely 82 left bank Paulliac Bordeaux style underlying scents. And a wine capable of competing with 82 Bordeaux and would hold its head high. Perfectly ready at near 40 yrs old, not going to improve further but a superb wine to drink with some French food. Slow cooked beef or lamb for example. Excellent condition bottles getting harder and harder to get and prices going stratospheric. but if you are clever and know your game, despite this wine being worthy of its price, there is still some 82 Bordeaux to buy at same or less price. But semantics. Rich long and with initial tannic dryness that dissipated quickly, it paired with food wonderfully and was a wonderful drinking experience. it was overshadowed by a brooding, surly 82 YY DR 1 but a smidgeon. Yummo
November 9, 2019 - The first vintage of John Riddoch, for which Jancis Robinson stated that it's "better than any '82 First Growth she tried". Strong statement, but this lives up to the hype. Deep garnet in the glass. Wonderful nose, nothing off, nothing fading. Aromas of dried cranberry, cedar, fig jam, sweet tobacco and Christmas spices. The body is not big, not titanic, but very elegant, sophisticated, I'd almost say posh. It stands tall and proud, with no signs of decline to speak of. Reminds me of a proper aged St. Julien, if I may compare. Long finish, mostly of sweet spices and delicious dried fruit. True eminence.
July 30, 2019 - Champagne Dinner in Champaign (NAYA - Champaign IL): Black plum and currant with roasted meat and earth. Good+ weight and length. More than a little dirty, but not in a really negative way, with the barnyard notes adding some intriguing bretty character. A very Old School and honest wine.
May 28, 2019 - Last Tuesday Supper Club (One Penny Red, Summer Hill): Cripes a bit of cellar stink here, touch of volatility, biscuit and toast, black tea, soy sauce, a little liquorice. On the palate it's got surprisingly and wonderfully sweet fruit, tannins are completely resolved, long. The nose is totally disconnected from the palate and the palate is very pleasant. A wonderful way to finish the evening.
January 26, 2019 - Drunk at a rare Australian wine dinner on Australia Day at Table in Hong Kong - The first vintage of John Riddoch and this was a great bottle. Bright and fresh, attractive cabernet mintiness. Nice acid, suggesting that well stored bottles should have more left in them. Paired with an immaculate bottle of Bin 707 which just came out in front but it was by no means a unanimous decision.
August 5, 2018 - Absolutely fantastic. A rare 5 from me. I bought a case (12) of this through Farmer Bros Canberra in 80’s. It’s had appalling cellar history but has shon through. Dark red with only a tinge if brown. Still has tannin and mild acid. Mushroom and earth. Well worth the wait. 2 left!
November 5, 2017 - big deep dark and bold thing. Caramel and black plum, black currant and red currant licorice and meaty, but the fruit fades a bit. Needs to be drunk now
October 14, 2017 - 12.1% abv. Fortunately, a bottle in good condition. Green capsicum and cassis on the nose; medium bodied, nice acid spine with chunky sprightly tannins; cassis, plum and graphite flavours. Teetering and best to drink up - especially for bottles of potentially unsound provenance.
December 15, 2016 - Beat your 2016 WOTY Dinner: Corked.
May 24, 2012 - Bold, dark colour. Showing its age in a good way, with dates, prunes, black cherries and sweet balsamic vinegar, with floral notes of vanilla and violets. Showing extreme maturity without a hint of oxidation or bacterial spoilage. Could keep for years, but it's hard to imagine it getting any better.