January 22, 2020 - Drink now
October 1, 2019 - {screwcap, 13.5%} As for July's bottle. Lots of cabernet bits, but is boney and angular and unconvincing. Maybe it's better at thirty years old. Or else it's just suffering the SA odd-year-vintage curse. Better to look at Alex and Messenger from 2010!
July 16, 2019 - {screwcap, 14%} Deep ruby red still. Somewhat developing but still vibrant nose of ink, tar, blood plums, black olives, blackberries and a touch of oaky spice, all of which appear on the palate. Which tastes still fairly young, but also a bit disjointed, with the fruit secondary to grainy oak flavours, finely gritty medium tannins, low acid. It coats the tongue fairly well, with only a little dip on the mid-palate, but it still feels very in-between somehow. Savoury and medium-bodied. Has a medium length, slightly warm finish, but always astringetly drying. Might have benefited from a decant; I wouldn’t be scared of cellaring it for another decade in the hope of something integrated emerging, although it’s twelve already, so I’d be expecting things to come together by now.
July 2, 2019 - Colour deep , inky black , brick red edges , outstanding colour for 12yo 15/15
Nose med+ intensity fruit red and black fruits , cherry, raspberry , black current , lightest hint of mint , cassis , chocolate liquorice, vanilla oak spice
Can’t ask for more than this 28/30
Palate full bodied , first thing that hits is the 72% new oak used , still quite dominant , tannins that suck the cheeks in , good fruit still there in the background 40/44
Overall just needs for time for the oak in intergrate
Try again in a few years 8/11
October 28, 2018 - Single vineyard bottling from the Glengyle Vineyard. Planted in 1969 on Terra Rossa soil, Glengyle is a higher/warmer vineyard and generally one of the first blocks to ripen. Purchased by Wynns in 1993, the vineyard underwent extensive restoration in 2002.
From a warm and dry vintage, growing conditions were considered challenging. With the region experiencing widespread fronts, the Glengyle vineyard was somewhat protected by its higher elevation and use of irrigations systems. Yields were however reduced to about two tonne per hectare
Matured for 7 months in 72% new French Oak with the reminder in seasoned French and American oak barrels. A medium bodied wine with note of blackcurrants, cedar and menthol. Nothing special but Wynns have made a solid wine from a difficult vintage. Drink now and over the next two years.
July 15, 2015 - I have tasted all Wynns single vineyard series wines (with the exception of Harold 2001) Although solid quality and pleasant to drink, I rate it as one of the lesser ones. (I prefer the 2007 Black Label which has the benefit of multi vineyard sourcing.) Not an overly expressive nose, more in the red fruit spectrum than black. Raspberry, with red plum along with menthol and freshly turned earth.Slightly darker fruit flavours, but not quite to blackberry or blackcurrant; red to black mulberry perhaps. Ends a fraction dull and bland with good but not great length. Overall, comes across a little underwelming, with neither the vibrant fruit or structure found elsewhere in many of Wynns premium reds. Will hold for at least a few more years, although is drinking well now.
April 5, 2015 - Quite nice - blueberry, blackberry and chocolate flavours come through with a little bit of anise. Rich and complex but not too heavy. Smooth finish and very easy to drink.
July 31, 2012 - Drank this bottle over 2 nights and it was definitely better 24 hours after opening. Typical CS colour, not overly aroma-driven. Full taste, some lingering earthy flavours, will develop further I think.
August 9, 2011 - Voyager Estate Masterclass 2011: slight menthol, eucalyptus, blackcurrant, perfume, and cedarwood. In the mouth the fruit is very concentrated to an almost savoury level, the oak is intrusive. Ugh.
April 21, 2011 - Visit to Coonawarra (Coonawarra, Limestone Coast): This was a unique opportunity to try one of Wynn's single vineyards, but I was not all that impressed by this. Well-made, I would say, but not great. Lots of oak on the nose, which came across as a dominant notes of powdery mocha, cocoa and some dessicated coconut layered over ripe cassis fruit and a little bit of meat. The palate was rather better. Lots of rich fruit - plums I though, along with a touch of black olives. Good concentration, but this was also buttressed by firm, almost chewy but well-formed tannins and a nice clean freshness. Unfortunately, the finish lapses into a touch of awakwardness, with a woody, tight-grained feel. This needs time but, even then, I am not quite sure how well it will age. At the moment, decent, but a bit gawky at parts.