Regional Spotlight: Coonawarra

No two words elicit more excitement in Cabernet lovers than…

Terra rossa! Undisputedly, there is no soil more famed in Australia than that particular to Coonawarra.

This ‘red earth’ geological wonder is cigar-like in shape and stretches approximately 15km north-to-south and just 2km east-to-west. It is famously flat, a cyclist’s winery tour dream, and is comprised of a shallow iron-oxide based topsoil over limestone.

If you’re ever fortunate enough to come across a soil pit, jump in (if it’s safe to do so) and observe the layered earth. The mineral-rich terra rossa crumbles easily in your hand and you’ll notice a strange, somewhat damp fragility. This is what makes the soil so unique, in that it holds good moisture but is also very free draining; like clay that wishes it were sand.

It isn’t, however, simply the soil that make this a unique and world-class destination for growing grapes. The region sits just 100km from the ocean shore and receives predominantly maritime winds throughout the year. The seasons are dry and cool as a result, allowing the slow and complex development of grapes on the vine.

While many different varietals are grown in the region, it’s Cabernet Sauvignon that steals the most hearts. It is easily the most widely planted, and in fact occupies a 56% share of the region’s tonnage. Next, and with almost as much esteem, is Shiraz at 23%. Then Merlot with 9%, Chardonnay at 6%, and Sauvignon Blanc at 2%, which leaves 4% for all the rest.

You can’t talk about Coonawarra Cabernet without talking about Wynns

If Cabernet is the king of the region, then Wynns Coonawarra Estate would surely be its most devoted patron. A cornerstone of Coonawarra’s wine industry since 1891, Wynns has garnered a reputation for creating elegant Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz with a signature herbaceous character that places it on the world stage.

The iconic Black Label Shiraz 2019 is one of Australia’s most collected wines, and the flagship John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is classed ‘Exceptional’ in the Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine. The Single Vineyard range is also of note, with the very best parcel of each vintage chosen to display its distinct and unadulterated micro-terroir within this already quite small region.

And you can’t discuss iconic Australian red wine without mentioning Penfolds

Penfolds have a long and proud history in Coonawarra that dates back to the early 1960s, with the inaugural release of Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2019; an interesting cool-climate counterpoint to the more opulent and richly concentrated Bin 28 Shiraz 2019. It comprises fruit sourced solely from Coonawarra’s prized red earth, eliciting a remarkable and seductive perfume.

The second Penfolds Bin wine that heralds from this southern land is the Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. Created to reflect Penfolds’ contemporary winemaking approach, while emphasising both the grape and its regionality, Bin 169 is immediately ‘Penfolds’ with a succulent pool of ‘red’ fruit (think raspberry, cranberry, redcurrant, rhubarb) and highly defined tannins.

Penfolds’ involvement with this premium wine region doesn’t end there, however. The Cellar Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016 Gift Box is a sought-after rarity that has only seen two previous vintages; 1993 and 2005. Its third and current release, vintage 2016, blends Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon with Barossa Valley Shiraz to present an elegantly bold wine of exceptional pedigree.

Three’s a (great) crowd; the story of Coonawarra’s celebrated trio

While Wynns Coonawarra Estate and Penfolds command justified spotlights upon Coonawarra’s world stage, there is a third collection of wines that stand with equal merit.

Be sure to read our article on the Lindeman’s Coonawarra Trio here as the story of this remarkable region continues…