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Your at-home Coonawarra wine list

Read time 5 Mins

Posted 26 Jan 2023

By
Madeleine Horrigan

Take a trip to Coonawarra from the comfort of your couch with these six sensational wines.

Celebrated for its rich red wines from its famed terra rossa soils, as well as its quality whites and refreshing sparkling wines, Coonawarra is a region with a whole lot to offer. Sure, not everyone can nip off to Coonawarra for the weekend, but this region’s fine wines can still be enjoyed at home. Let this world-famous region come to you with six of the Coonawarra wines we’re loving right now. 

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1. St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon

You might know St Hugo better as a Barossa-based producer, but when the chance to work with a top parcel of Coonawarra cabernet presented itself, they knew it was too good an opportunity to pass up. And so the St Hugo Coonawarra series was born. This, their flagship wine, hails from a specially selected vineyard of premium fruit planted on the region’s famed terra rossa soils. Classic Coonawarra cab through and through, the St Hugo is the perfect introduction to the region’s signature grape, with a delicately perfumed nose of blackcurrant fruit, violets and hints of regional mint. On the palate, threads of blackcurrant fruit and toasty oak weave among fine chalky tannins and refreshing acidity. A rich and powerful youngster, this wine benefits from time to allow the ample black and red fruit to soak up that oak and transform those tannins into silk.

2. Petaluma Coonawarra Evans Vineyard

Up the ante with a Coonawarra blend. Roughly an 80-20 split of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, the Petaluma Evans Vineyard takes inspiration from the great wines of Bordeaux, which are famous for their intensely flavoured multi-varietal blends. Initially, this wine seems all cabernet, with dark black fruit, dried herbs and pops of eucalypt. But ripe, juicy blueberry fruit signals the merlot’s presence, helping to soften the cabernet’s intense chocolate and spicy cedar on the palate. Full-bodied and complex, with fine-grained tannins and persistent fruit, this wine demands a little breathing space and a slow-cooked lamb dish to really do it justice.

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3. Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Bowen Estate is a small producer with a big presence in Coonawarra. Widely regarded as a local icon, the winery was established in 1972 and is still family owned and operated, with daughter Emma taking the winemaking reins, while her father Doug ‘retires’ to the viticultural side of things. Drawing on more than  40 years of winemaking tradition, the Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon beautifully captures the region’s unique sites, climates and soils. In the glass, this inky elixir is richly perfumed with dark fruit and mocha; the palate fresh with plush tannins and Bowen’s hallmark depth and elegance. With a fruit-driven approachability in its youth, this wine is immediately enjoyable but will improve with age. Stow a few bottles in the cellar and  return to it and see how it evolves over the next five, 10 and 15 years.

4. Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Shiraz

Coonawarra has a well-earned reputation for its top-notch cabernet, but that’s not the only thing this region does well. Want proof? Look no further than the Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Shiraz. Produced from vines aged between 30 and 110 years old, this is a superb example of cool-climate Coonawarra shiraz. Bright ruby in the glass, juicy berry fruits dominate the nose – think redcurrant, strawberry and cherry. The palate comes through with crunchy dark berries and notes of cracked pepper and cinnamon, complemented by bright acidity, smooth, silky tannins and length like there’s no tomorrow. 

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5. Riddoch Coonawarra Merlot

If you’ve ever had the good fortune of visiting Coonawarra, chances are you’ve come across the name Riddoch more than once. In fact, it’s pretty hard to miss – the main road through the region is the Riddoch Highway. From highways to reserve releases and even wineries, the name is an acknowledgement of John Riddoch, the visionary pioneer and founder of the Coonawarra wine industry. He was a driving force behind the exciting varietal expressions produced from this unique terroir, including this sumptuous merlot from Riddoch Coonawarra. Deep purple in colour, it exudes spicy plum, dark chocolate and wafts of vanilla set against a framework of smooth tannins and broad acidity. It’s a classic style from a highly regarded wine name that won't disappoint if opened today or a few years down the track. Cheers John!

6. Parker Estate Chardonnay

When you think of Coonawarra wine, it’s usually rich reds like cabernet, shiraz and merlot that come to mind, but this region also has a reputation for cracking chardonnay. Take, for example, the Parker Estate Chardonnay, a crisp, cool-climate chardonnay that perfectly highlights this variety’s potential in the region. Wild-fermented in a mix of new French oak and stainless steel, it preserves its naturally racy acidity without forgoing that lovely creamy texture we know and love. The nose and palate brim with summer stone fruits, lemon blossom and a touch of stony minerality that flows on to a long and balanced finish. Wonderfully vibrant and fresh, this is a fantastic food wine, but it could easily be enjoyed as a refreshing aperitif on a hot summer’s afternoon.

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After more intel on Coonawarra? Check out our Coonawarra Vine Guide for everything you need to know about this fabulous wine region – including the low-down on the best wines, food and cellar doors.
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Madeleine HorriganMadeleine Horrigan is a Melbourne-based writer and all-round drinks enthusiast. When her nose isn't in a glass, it's in a travel guide planning her next adventure in a wine region.
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Vine GuideRed WineWineWine RegionsTravelWhite WineCabernet SauvignonWineryCoonawarra
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