A classic Australian wine, Wynns Black Label Shiraz was previously known as “Wynns Black Label Hermitage”. Typically showing superb fruit density, with ample red forest berry fruit and spice and supple tannins, Black Label Shiraz typifies Coonawarra’s mid-weight elegant style.
A gently peppery minty nose. Restrained in a savoury vein. The expansion of fruit, melded to lithe well managed tannins, however, is a winning combo. Appetising, medium bodied and nothing out of kilter. This doesn’t try too hard and is all the better for it. Superlative value again at this tier.
91 points (October 2020)
Old vine? Most definitely. The vines responsible for this complex youngster were planted in the 1890s and 1920s and are the reason for the concentration and fruit development. It will wriggle into your affections with its bright purple hue and tightly focused blackberry, black cherry, clove, saltbush and turned earth. Focused, tight with a developing full spectrum of black fruit intensity, licorice bullets, cigar box and fine tannins, it was newly bottled when tasted and yet so very persuasive. Has a way to go.
94 points, Wine Companion (January 2020)
Hits the mark at medium weight right in the meat of the bat. Blueberry and raspberry scents, some black jelly bean, clove and cinnamon spice, whiffs of mint and rosemary herbs – palate and perfume in synch. Supple in texture, slurpy but hemmed in with a swish of broad, slow-moving, grippy-gummy tannins. Oak is modest, fruit is thick but bright, there’s lots to sink one’s teeth into, the texture is a delight. Such a charming, easy going wine with good tannin profile a feature.
93 points, The Wine Front (September 2020)
Medium deep crimson. Fragrant blackberry mulberry with hints of vanilla, white pepper, sage and star anise. Generous and supple with fresh persistent inky blackberry mulberry fruits, roasted chestnut vanilla oak notes, lacy al dente/ chalky tannins and integrated crisp acidity. Well concentrated with very good density, volume and old vine torque. Finishes cedary with a fine tannin plume.
95 points (October 2020)
Good colour; a very expressive bouquet, with interlocking red and black fruit and cedary oak, the palate bringing ripe tannins into play. All the components are here, but are yet to join each other.
94 points, Wine Companion (September 2020)
Coonawarra
The first vines were planted in Coonawarra by John Riddoch in 1890, however it was not until the renewed interest in table wine production in the 1950's that Coonawarra was brought into the limelight. Located almost 380 km southeast of Adelaide, Coonawarra is today one of the most famous red wine regions in Australia. Its weathered limestone terra rossa soils, avaibility of water and relatively cool maritime climate make it a unique viticultural region. Extremely flat and unprotected, Coonawarra is exposed both to the swinging influences of the cool Great Southern Ocean and hot, dry northerly winds. Spring frosts also pose a major threat with the potential to wipe out entire crops. Mechanical harvesting is widely employed in the region although smaller producers prefer to tend their vines by hand. Coonawarra is best known for classically-styled Cabernet Sauvignon, although in good years, Shiraz from the region is also very compelling.
