Wynns Coonawarra Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Winemaking Notes

"2006 was an ideal and early ripening year in Coonawarra. As a result, our Cabernet is well structured in the classic Wynns style. Concentrated dark fruits and mint are the hallmarks of a wine suited to current drinking or cellaring," notes Sue Hodder, Winemaker. The wine is produced from only the top quality 20 to 25 per cent of Cabernet Sauvignon fruit available from Wynns Coonawarra Estate, with the average age of the vineyard for Wynns 'Black Label' fruit being over 35 years. This ensures exceptional concentration, complexity and the distinctive regional characteristics that define Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was matured for 18 months in a mixture of new and seasoned French oak, comprising 19% new hogsheads and barriques, 20% vats, with the balance in 1-3 year-old hogsheads and barriques. This careful oak regime adds complexity and structure whilst allowing the concentrated dark fruit and mint characteristics to remain at the forefront. The result is a wine of style and stature that consistently delivers potential for medium to long-term cellaring. This milestone 60th vintage can be enjoyed on release or cellared carefully for up to 20 years, showcasing the exceptional quality and age-worthiness that has made Wynns Black Label one of Australia's most collectable wines.

Vintage Conditions

The 2006 vintage in Coonawarra was an outstanding year, characterised by ideal and early ripening conditions. A warm spring with even flowering and set delivered good yields across the region. The mild summer and long ripening period were particularly beneficial, allowing the grapes to develop full fruit flavours whilst maintaining balanced acidity essential for age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. These favourable vintage conditions resulted in wines with concentrated dark fruits and the distinctive mint character that are hallmarks of premium Coonawarra Cabernet. The extended ripening period ensured optimal phenolic ripeness, producing wines with well-structured tannins in the classic Wynns style. The 2006 vintage has proven to be an exceptional year for Coonawarra, with wines showing excellent development after nearly two decades. This vintage is suited to current drinking, having developed beautiful tertiary characters of cedar, tobacco and leather, whilst retaining its core of concentrated dark fruit. For those with patience, the wine can continue to be cellared carefully, with the structure and balance to reward further ageing for several more years, living up to the 60 years of age-ability that this milestone 60th vintage of Black Label Cabernet represents.