1991 Wynn’s Coonawarra Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon
Warning a long (and boring) ramble preamble!
A genuinely historic and iconic Aussie red wine. First made in 1954. The wines from the 60s can still be amazing. In 1982 Wynn’s introduced the John Riddoch label for the best fruit and best barrels, diluting the Black Label somewhat. The Black Label has been know for being a well made, reliable high quality wine that ages well but has always been reasonably priced. For many folks in Oz and NZ it was one of the 1st wines they bought for cellaring (along with Penfolds back then). Never over the top or over worked and always reflective of the vintage. I first met the Wynn’s Black Label with the 1982 vintage and loved it. In the 1980s and 1990s I bought cases of it and was always amazed at how well it aged despite the modest price.
About 25 years ago I mostly moved on from Aussie wines and stopped buying them. Despite the dominance of France and Italy in my cellar, Australia stills hold a small but vital place in the cellar. These are wines I grew up with and loved but don’t drink very often. Sometimes it is is really nice to go back a visit an old friend.
I bought a case of the 1991 on release 30+ years ago for next to nothing. Still have five bottles left. The 1991 vintage was an excellent vintage in South Australia and in Coonawarra may even be better than the more famous 1990.
There is wine, there is Wine and there is WINE! Greatness is relative to expectations but for me today this was a great wine. Incredibly young for 34 years. Bright mid red colour just a hint of bricking. Warm earthy cassis notes on the nose. Palate is vibrant, powerful and intense with lovely chocolate covered black currants and spicy notes. The taste is deep and strong and long. Tannins are resolved and balance in near perfect. For an “entry level” wine this is ridiculously good. This exceeds expectations by such a huge margin that I am willing to use the term great. It is about the experience in the moment and wow this was a moment alright.
I plan to keep my remaining 4 bottles to see what this is like at age 40!
It is a great wine. Won multiple trophies and was $11.99 at the time. I too bought a case as a student. Still have some left.
I was lucky enough to attend a vertical of Black Labels a few years ago going back to the 54. All were sound. Some stupendous. I am still buying 65 and 66 when I see well stored bottles.
fabulous wine, still has years in front of it. As good as it is, the magnum format of the Wynns Centenary from the same year towers above it. I rate it the best wine they’ve made in the last 60 years.
Have not had the Centenary out of magnum, but the last time I had it out of 750ml I found the oak treatment intrusive. This is what I love about the Black Label, they never let the oak get in the way of the fruit.
yes, but remember, from all accounts, the magnum and the 750 version of this wine are (supposedly) two different wines. I have had both versions side-by-side, and they certainly show very differently!!!
Always loved this wine and it has always been a crazy QPR. Drank a lot of it about 15 years ago, when it was my “splurge” wine that I could get for $22 in New York. Picked up a 1993 a couple years ago for $15 on WineBid and it was gorgeous. Thanks for the note!
Nice note Brodie. I was never big on Aussie wines, but have heard this one can be really nice and not as big and oaky, so I bought a bottle of 2001 cheap at auction. Have you had that vintage?
Thanks for the note. I really resonate with the comment around buying some of these when first getting into collecting. I did the same and still have them. 2006 and 2008 vintage. I am a little concerned over the stylistic shift affecting even producers like this, even when they have long track records. Newer releases can be 14.5% alcohol and quite big, extracted wines. I haven’t had an old Wynns Black label but have had Australian wines from this era and earlier and they in general are more pale, sometimes red fruited and often closer to 12.5.
The 1982 was the very 1st vintage of the John Riddoch made by John Wade and 1982 was an excellent vintage. I have had it a few times but last bottle was 10 years ago.
It has always been an excellent bottle and should be really good if the cork holds up.
I think it would be an interesting pairing with the 1982 Grange. The Grange will be bigger and more powerful but generally the 1982 Grange is more on the elegant side (for Grange that is)
This label is one of the first head-turning wines I remember having. Would have been 2001 or 2 and someone brought one to a party.
Had been drinking $8 wines (and mostly beer) and someone rolled up with bottle costing twice that much that tasted very distinct and it made an impression.
I’ve been collecting for many many years and those Wynns black label cabs remain the best sub-$20 red wines I’ve ever had. The John Riddoch cabs aren’t as great a bargain obviously but they are unique and special cabs that are worth the price; I prefer them to more celebrated Aussie cabs like the Penfolds 707.
For some reason Wynns appears to no longer have a US importer and these wines are now very difficult to find in the US? I don’t know why this would be and it’s unfortunate
thanks Brodie and everyone. So awesome to read the notes about this wine. I’ve never been patient enough to let one age out this far, never mind out to the 70s. Thanks so much for posting
A lot of sediment, crumbly cork (typical of the era) but the wine was everything you could want in aged Cabernet. Weightless power, seamless and energetic.
Haven’t had it for some time, but generally 01s have surprised me from Coonawarra. It was a relatively high yieding and very hot vintage, and the wines looked a bit tender as young wines, but I have opened a few in teh last year or so from Majella, Bowen and Katnook and they have all been ready to drink and plush.
