2022 Riddoch The Pastoralist Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra

Black cherries, picked blackberries and dark mulberries. Beetroot earthiness mixed with wood varnish, cedar and shoe polish. A hint of graphite, cocoa powder and campfire coals. Palate weight is slinky and slightly blue-fruited, oak supports without drying, and the wine feels quite lively. This will age glacially and reward with careful cellaring and softening of alcohol over time.

92 points Shanteh Wale winecompanion.com.au

Riddoch’s The Pastoralist Cabernet Sauvignon celebrates Coonawarra’s rich history and its famed terra rossa soils. The Riddoch name honours John Riddoch, the pioneering pastoralist who founded the Coonawarra wine region in the late 19th century. Today, the winery continues his legacy by crafting wines that capture the elegance and structure for which Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon is renowned. The fruit is sourced from vineyards lying on the region’s distinctive red-brown clay-loam over limestone, a terroir that gives Cabernet its hallmark perfume, fine tannins, and longevity. The cool maritime climate, influenced by the nearby Southern Ocean, allows for a long ripening season that builds depth of flavour while preserving natural acidity.

In the glass, The Pastoralist Cabernet Sauvignon shows deep crimson with purple hues. Aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherry, and mulberry are layered with hints of cedar, bay leaf, and subtle mint, a classic Coonawarra signature. The palate is medium to full-bodied, delivering concentrated cassis and blackberry fruit supported by fine, chalky tannins and refreshing acidity. Oak maturation in French barrels adds touches of vanilla, clove, and dark chocolate, lending further complexity and length to the finish.

It is an excellent match for roast lamb with rosemary, beef fillet with red wine jus, chargrilled kangaroo, or a rich lentil and mushroom bake. While approachable now for its ripe fruit and supple tannins, it will cellar gracefully for 8 to 10 years, developing more savoury and cigar box complexity.