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Wines like Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Cassis, mint and eucalyptus from a narrow strip of red terra rossa soil — Australia’s most distinctive Cabernet. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- The firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too austere and too heavy.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less oaky.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less oaky.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Primitivo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less tannic and softer.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stiller.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less tannic and softer.
Sparkling Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and riper and less green.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and riper and less green.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.