Riddoch Coonawarra has unveiled a landmark addition to its portfolio with the release of The Federator Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, a wine hailed as its finest expression of Cabernet to date.
Representing the pinnacle of Riddoch’s commitment to premium fine wine and the celebrated Coonawarra red variety, The Federator marks a new era for the historic South Australian producer – one that aims to set a new benchmark for quality and craftsmanship in the region.
Like all Riddoch Coonawarra wines, The Federator honours the legacy of John Riddoch, founder of Coonawarra and an influential figure in South Australia’s early development. The wine’s name draws inspiration from the steam engine The Federator, which made its maiden voyage in 1887 between Adelaide and Melbourne, passing through Riddoch-owned land and symbolising progress and unity for the fledgling colonies.
Riddoch Coonawarra’s Chief Winemaker, Matthew Reimann, said the new release exemplifies the winery’s pursuit of excellence.
“This is the ultimate expression of Riddoch’s fine winemaking, a wine that showcases not only the pedigree of Coonawarra Cabernet but the precision and care that goes into crafting something so exceptional,” he said.
“Every detail was considered to create a wine with longevity. The Federator represents everything we stand for as Riddoch Coonawarra – heritage, quality and the pursuit of excellence.”
Fruit for the debut vintage was meticulously sourced from high-performing vineyards within Coonawarra. Seventy per cent of the fruit comes from the north-east block, the same site responsible for the award-winning 2021 Pastoralist Cabernet Sauvignon. This warmer area features a mix of red loam over limestone and ironstone, and the vines used in The Federator are aged between 20 and 25 years.
A further 10 per cent was sourced from a vineyard located on the iconic terra rossa strip, while the remaining fruit – a co-ferment of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc – was harvested from Riddoch Estate, which sits between the Leconfield and Katnook vineyards.
Each parcel was vinified separately in stainless steel fermenters for 10 days before being pressed, briefly settled, and transferred to a mix of new and seasoned French oak for malolactic fermentation. The wines then matured individually in barrel for eight months before blending. The final blend was returned to barrel for another eight months, with the total oak maturation time reaching 15 months. The wine was then cellared in bottle for a further two years before release.
The 2022 vintage in Coonawarra provided ideal conditions for crafting age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. A mild, stable growing season with well-timed rain and a warm January led to balanced, even ripening. While yields were slightly down, the quality was regarded as exceptional, producing small, thick-skinned berries with strong varietal character and depth.
The release is limited to just 3,060 bottles with an RRP of $99.99.