Ranked #13 of 34 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra
90/100
4 Stars
Huon Hooke
Deep red purple, some blackish and tawny tints. Earth, black fruits, sump-oil, black-olive aromas; some stalky herbal notes. Has concentration and character; smooth, ample tannins are soft and fluffy. Good length and concentration of mulberry, briary flavours. Attractive wine, soft and balanced, easy to enjoy and worth cellaring.
Tasted: 21/07/2008
Drink: N/A
92.5 Points Robert Parker
The 2005 John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon is the winery flagship sourced from estate grown fruit. It spent 21 months in 52% new French oak, 20% new American oak, and the balance in two-year-old French oak. Opaque purple-colored, the wine offers up an aromatic array, of pain grille, violets, cassis, black currant, and a hint of mint. This leads to a medium-bodied, supple-textured wine with good depth, flavors of plum and cassis, and enough ripe tannin to evolve for 4-6 years. Nicely balanced with a long, fruit-filled finish, the wine will drink well from 2012 to 2025.
Source: Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) by Jay S Miller. January, 2009
96 Points James Halliday
Wonderfully precise and clear varietal fruit in a ripe, but not overripe, mould; cassis and redcurrant flavours; fine tannins and quality oak. Drink to 2021.
Source: James Halliday. November, 2007
The 2005 John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon is the winery flagship sourced from estate grown fruit. It spent 21 months in 52% new French oak, 20% new American oak, and the balance in two-year-old French oak. Opaque purple-colored, the wine offers up an aromatic array, of pain grille, violets, cassis, black currant, and a hint of mint. This leads to a medium-bodied, supple-textured wine with good depth, flavors of plum and cassis, and enough ripe tannin to evolve for 4-6 years. Nicely balanced with a long, fruit-filled finish, the wine will drink well from 2012 to 2025. Source: Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) February, 2009 by Jay Miller