By James Atkinson
Wynns produced a comparatively tiny amount of Black Label Cabernet in the 2011 vintage, but senior winemaker Sue Hodder (pictured) is as confident as ever that the iconic wine will go the distance.
Revealing the winery's Wynnsday 2013 releases, Hodder told journalists that Wynns made just 3000 cases of 2011 Black Label Cabernet, which was about 10 per cent of the quantity it made in 2010.
"Generally when we we're making the Black Label wine, there's up to 80 different small parcels that are in consideration, and there's about 20 that make the final blend."
"This year there are only two small parcels."
"I'm glad that we left as much behind in the vineyard as we did, even though it was ruthless at the time," Hodder said.
"This is allegedly Australia's most cellared Cabernet, and if we can't drink it in 20 years… I'll be asked what's gone wrong."
Hodder said the quantity of Black Label Cabernet produced varies enormously and has been as large as 80,000 cases in some years.
Also to be released on Wynnsday (August 7) are the 2010 icon wines – Wynns John Riddoch, Wynns Michael and single vineyard release 'Wynns Messenger', which Hodder said are all as good as you would expect from the "outstanding" 2010 vintage.
The Wynns Coonawarra Estate 'Wynnsday' New Vintage Release includes:
Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 – RRP $149.99 AUD
Wynns Michael Shiraz 2010 – RRP $149.99 AUD
Wynns Messenger ‘Single Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 – RRP $79.99 AUD
Wynns Coonawarra Estate ‘Black Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 – RRP $44.99 AUD
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2012 – RRP $24.99 AUD
The Wynns new vintage release will be available from fine wine retailers and Wynns cellar door. The remaining Wynns classic wines from the 2012 vintage, outside of the Wynns Shiraz, will be released later in the year.