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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 drying or too tannic, too tart or sour-fruited, too austere, too green or grassy 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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less heavy.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less heavy.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less heavy.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less heavy.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less heavy.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less heavy.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- 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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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 fresher, and riper and less green.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fresher.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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.
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 fuller and richer, 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.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
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 fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Taurasi
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Molinara
Molinara scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
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 fuller and richer, 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.
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.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Glera
Glera scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
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 fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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 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 fuller and richer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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.
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.
Zinfandel
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 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 fresher.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier.
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.
Argentine Malbec
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.