Going through inventory and found these. I can’t remember buying them, and they have been in the cellar since pre 2007. Any info especially tasting notes would be great.
Wynns John Riddoch 1982
Mount Pleasant Robert’s Hermitage 1966 (could be McWilliams)
The 1982 John Riddoch was the very 1st vintage of the wine. Prior to 1982 all the Cab Sav went into the Wynns Black Label. In 1982 they decided to make a special barrel selection premium wine
It was made by John Wade and is a legendary wine. Good bottles should be superb. It has been a very long lived wine and should still be going strong
I don’t know the 1966 McWilliam Mt Pleasant Robert Hermitage. The legendary Maurice O’Shea has passed by then. These Mt Pleasant Hermitage wines were all traditionally made in a more elegant middleweight style with only old oak. There is good chance it will be alive and interesting and worth drinking
Spot on! Truly great wine and a mere 12.5% from memory. Arguably one of the greatest Australian CSs. Good bottles are still quite fresh.
Thanks. From the sound of it, it might be fun to serve it blind with a couple of 1982 Bordeaux.
Ooooh that would be fun! But don’t be surprised if it stands out like an Emu at a Goose farm. I recall pouring a 1986 707 alongside 1986 Bordeaux. It was not pretty. I do expect the JR to be a lot better than that 707 though.
Great idea. A very interesting discussion will ensue I am sure!
The John Riddoch is a real favorite of mine, though I’ve never had anything older than the 1990. Their consistency has been especially notable for me. Since I believe Mark that you and I may well share a lot in terms of our palates based on your postings and our having traded some older Bordeaux in the past, I will add that my scores have ranged from 92-96, which is quite high on my scale.
Looking forward to your notes,
Jonathan
You are in for a treat with the 1982 John Riddoch if the bottle is in good nick. An Aussie legend! Have had some wonderful old Mount Pleasant wines but can’t recall having that 1966. It wasn’t made by Maurice O’Shea as he had died by then. I assume it is Hunter fruit and '66 was a good Hunter Year. You might see some of what we call ‘sweaty saddle’ in the wine, a trait synonymous with Hunter Shiraz.