Wynns O’Deas Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
- 96
- $80
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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This is the annual Wynns’ selection for their Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard was planted after the original estate owned by the O’Dea family was sold in 1966. Maturation is in a mix of new and older French oak barrels and foudres for fifteen months. 28% of the oak is new. The colour is an opaque maroon with a purple rim. There is an earthy note to this wine at this early stage, and it is joined by aromas of mushrooms, leather, dried herbs, chocolate and black fruits. Good integration of oak, this is a powerful and balanced Coonawarra Cabernet, but it really does need time. Time in the glass to open up and time in the cellar to exhibit its best. On the palate, we see notes of plums, tobacco leaves and cassis emerge towards the finish. There is excellent length here, finishing with fine tannins. If you have the willpower, put it away for two to four years and drink it over the next ten to fifteen.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
