Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Coonawarra)

Took a bottle to our local Indian Restaurant as I know it's a light but tasty wine. Not disappointed at all, but it fell short of my previous impressions (as my palate grows and I am exposed to increasingly better wines I am finding that some old favourites do not stack as well as previously indicated)

It's definitely not a bad wine, but as you will see from the next review of the Dorrien Growers 2005 Shiraz, it didn't stand a chance of looking good tonight.

Drinkability 89

Price $15 (roughly)

Value 90

Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Coonawarra)

This bottle we took to dinner at the Italian restaurant, it breathed in the bottle for about 2 hours and I must say, really did impress.

A smoky feel on the nose, it was velvety smooth and quite nice. With a strong vanilla tone and it was not unlike the dorrien growers. (but with a little less punch)

On the whole, this was one of the better tastings of the Riddoch and it definitely lived up to my previous praise.

Probably heavier on the oak than the fruit. That isn't a bad thing if well balanced like this wine is.

I still have about ten bottle left, so that's good.

A definite winner.

Drinkability 91/92

Value 94

Price $14-17 (not sure, it was a while ago I got it from Cellarmasters)(retails for about $20)

Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Coonawarra)

One of my past favourites.. the Riddoch Estate Cab Sav 2004. Now this was once something that I held in high regard, but had let me down in recent times.

Tonight I figured I would give it another chance....

...and tonight it was quite nice. let breathe for an hour or so in the bottle, it had a nose of dusty vanilla, something I don't mind. A very cherry palate and a medium term finish made this a quite acceptable wine.

The bottle shown is not what I had, but the Cellarmasters version is apparently 'more approachable' according to the good people at Katnook Estate. Either way, it was enjoyable and that's what it's all about...

Drinkability 90

Value 90

Price $22 retail. but I think I paid about half that through Cellarmasters.