Wynns 1988 Riddoch

[Rick Morcom]

Don't usually post but felt the need. 1988 Wynns Riddoch that I found in my cellar. Should have been dead, thankfully it wasn't. Still had primary fruit and just got better as it breathed. No browning, lovely wine, Coonawarra Cabernet still stands the test of time.. Seriously good.

[monghead]

Yes, agree it is a very good wine. Had it recently in a sydney wynns vertical tasting which really affirmed to all of us the agebility of this great label. The other thing it highlighted to me anyway, was that I am drinking the vast majority of my wines way, way too early. However, what to do with a young cellar...

Cheers.

Monghead.

[Mike Hawkins]

I have one of these slated for a mate's visit late March. Good to know it's drinking well.

[Chuck]

Wish I had some oldies too. I never really "got" this wine until tasting old bottles recently.

Chuck

[phillisc]

Good to hear that the 88 is still singing.No secret that this is my all time favourite red.
Got on to them very early in 86 when the inaugural 82 vintage saw the light of day.
Am planning a complete vertical after the 08 release this August, 21 vintages has a nice ring to it.
Not sure how to do it, but will work it out.

Was hoping that someone from WCE could provide tasting notes, a bit of background etc, as I have brought 000's of $$ worth over the years.
IMHO over nearly 30 years JR is the benchmark aussie cabernet.

Cheers
Craig.

[markg]

Good to hear that the 88 is still singing.No secret that this is my all time favourite red.
Got on to them very early in 86 when the inaugural 82 vintage saw the light of day.
Am planning a complete vertical after the 08 release this August, 21 vintages has a nice ring to it.
Not sure how to do it, but will work it out.

Was hoping that someone from WCE could provide tasting notes, a bit of background etc, as I have brought 000's of $$ worth over the years.
IMHO over nearly 30 years JR is the benchmark aussie cabernet.

Cheers
Craig.

Try Winestate Craig. They hold loads of tasting notes and happily supplied their Yalumba Signature TN's for a vertical I did a few years ago.

[n4sir]

Good to hear that the 88 is still singing.No secret that this is my all time favourite red.
Got on to them very early in 86 when the inaugural 82 vintage saw the light of day.
Am planning a complete vertical after the 08 release this August, 21 vintages has a nice ring to it.
Not sure how to do it, but will work it out.

Was hoping that someone from WCE could provide tasting notes, a bit of background etc, as I have brought 000's of $$ worth over the years.
IMHO over nearly 30 years JR is the benchmark aussie cabernet.

Cheers
Craig.

A couple of years ago at the AFWAC Wynns Black Label vertical, Wynns had available a booklet of their history with Cabernet Sauvignon, the Winemakers, and all the details of a complete vertical (including John Riddoch up to 2004 I think, I'll have to check when I get home) in the presence of many prominent reviewers who added their comments to the publication.

You could be able to get hold of one of these directly through Sparky if you PM her, otherwise I know someone who might have a few spare copies.

Cheers,
Ian

[odyssey]

Rick, good to see the wine opened well, as it should have (definitely should not have been dead by rights) - the one thing the vertical showed us was that Riddochs should really be left until they are at least 15-20 years old before they hit their zone! As monghead mentioned we did a vertical back in November, the 88 was travelling perfectly.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11664&p=93042

Chuck, you'd be surprised how easy it is to get a hold of. I bought the 1988 for the above vertical at auction/exchange for $53 including buyer's premium. Wine was in great nick. 88 and 94 are dark horses, overshadowed by the typical famous years, consequently can usually be found at prices similar to current vintage. 88 usually cheaper than current vintage and is a beautiful wine, right in its zone.

Craig, check your messages something which may be of help.

Cheers
Andrew

[n4sir]

Good to hear that the 88 is still singing.No secret that this is my all time favourite red.
Got on to them very early in 86 when the inaugural 82 vintage saw the light of day.
Am planning a complete vertical after the 08 release this August, 21 vintages has a nice ring to it.
Not sure how to do it, but will work it out.

Was hoping that someone from WCE could provide tasting notes, a bit of background etc, as I have brought 000's of $$ worth over the years.
IMHO over nearly 30 years JR is the benchmark aussie cabernet.

Cheers
Craig.

A couple of years ago at the AFWAC Wynns Black Label vertical, Wynns had available a booklet of their history with Cabernet Sauvignon, the Winemakers, and all the details of a complete vertical (including John Riddoch up to 2004 I think, I'll have to check when I get home) in the presence of many prominent reviewers who added their comments to the publication.

You could be able to get hold of one of these directly through Sparky if you PM her, otherwise I know someone who might have a few spare copies.

Cheers,
Ian

A quick correction - the Wynns "Reflections" booklet I mentioned above covers John Riddoch to the 1999 vintage (not 2004).

You can download data sheets of the remaining vintages (even back to 1996 if you wish) from the Wynns website:
http://www.wynns.com.au/?john-riddoch-c ... -sauvignon

Cheers,
Ian

[phillisc]

Thanks Chuck and Ian, have the 50 years of Wynns little black book from the tasting done in around 06 i think?

Ian you are right, Chris Shanahan wrote a nice piece on both the black and JR tasting, no release between 99 and 03.

Guess I was looking for a set of notes similar to the ones on the WCE website that they have for the later vintages.
Have a nice description from John Wade re the 82 on my office wall.
I found the copy of winestate where Peter Douglas is on the cover holding a Michael and a JR.

what is going to be a real challenge however, is if i wish to have someone with one, more authority about the wines and two, someone with clearly less bias ( i love all the JR's even shit ones like the 92 and 85) than myself in getting them to a vertical tasting.
i apreciate that Sue Hodder and Sarah Pigeon are busy high profile people, but perhaps one of the lesser known winemakers might be available.

Ahhh the majic of JR, might have to dig one out this weekend.
thanks for all the help
Craig.