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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.
Refine
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 heavy, too tart or sour-fruited, too green or grassy, too austere and too drying or too tannic.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
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.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less heavy.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- More heavy, not less.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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 fruitier, and drier.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Canaiolo
Canaiolo scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier, and drier.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
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 fruitier, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
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 fruitier, and drier.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Napa Valley 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 fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Syrah
Syrah scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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 fruitier, and drier.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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 fruitier, and drier.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Super Tuscan
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 more tannic and structured.
Chilean 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 lighter.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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 drier, and fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Napa Valley 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 fruitier.
Sonoma 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 fruitier.
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 fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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.