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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 green or grassy.
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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
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.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Fetească Neagră
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Washington 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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Madiran
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 riper and less green, and earthier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Fetească Neagră
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Valais Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Pinot Meunier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Barossa 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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Madiran
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 riper and less green, and earthier.
Priorat
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 riper and less green, and earthier.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Barossa 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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stiller.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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 riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and leaner and more cutting.
Broad-leaved Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Ciliegiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barossa 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 riper and less green, and less oaky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and less oaky.
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 riper and less green, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Washington 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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Madiran
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 riper and less green, and earthier.
Bekaa Valley Red
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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 more herbal and green, and earthier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Bekaa Valley Red
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Washington Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Barossa 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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and broader and softer.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Barossa 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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Washington 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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Madiran
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 riper and less green, and earthier.
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.
Washington 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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Madiran
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 riper and less green, and earthier.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Priorat
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 riper and less green, and earthier.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
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.