Imagine a red wine that has the savoury elegance and structure of Europe yet the fruit purity, ripeness and concentration of Australia.
That is Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted variety in the world and Coonawarra is one of the few regions where free draining soils and maritime ripening conditions achieve the ultimate varietal expression.
The award-winning Coonawarra ‘clarets’ of the 1960s through to the 1990s represent a golden era for the region when legendary medium bodied wines with fine acid and tannin structure aged for 20 years or more.
Coonawarra’s current winemakers are working with the benefit of mature vines, modern, innovative viticultural practices and refined oak use to create today’s modern wine styles.
These wines are medium bodied, displaying silky supple tannins, integrated acid, defined fruit characters and a satisfying lingering palate – characteristics that are evident in both young and aged Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.
These wines are ideally suited to contemporary dining trends with a delicate, savoury fruit profile that is unmistakeably Cabernet Sauvignon – dark red berries, blackcurrant, mint and violets.
Meeting consumer demand for immediacy, there are also more “drink now” Coonawarra Cabernets being made, with approachable, luscious dark berry fruit flavours and satisfying length.
Whatever the style, great wines will continue to be made with evolving practices, wines that will age gracefully over several decades, making Coonawarra Cabernet the collector’s choice.
EMMA BOWEN
BOWEN ESTATE
“Today’s style of Coonawarra wines are more approachable now but still have the ability to age wonderfully.”
“There is a renaissance taking place in Coonawarra that is exciting. We can see a modern Coonawarra style evolving that started in the vineyard with a closer collaboration between winemakers and viticulturist. This has led to the introduction of new and improved clones resulting in better consistency in quality and a purer expression of Coonawarra produced fruit.”
“It has come about through the natural evolution of viticulturists and winemakers understanding not only Coonawarra, in the broad sense, but the build-up of the history of the wines produced from individual sites.”
“Wineries within Coonawarra now have a great resource in their operational reference stock and I think it is this base that has allowed the evolution of the modern Coonawarra style – reflected in fabulous fine tannins, bright fruit characters, finessed by more restrained French oak. Today’s style of Coonawarra wines are more approachable now but still have the ability to age wonderfully.”
“At Bowen Estate our style reflects our commitment to producing 100% estate grown fruit from our unique trellised vines, maintaining a reputation for producing consistent quality wine year in year out. We seek finely woven tannins in a medium bodied wine that has layers of classic Coonawarra flavour.”
“There has been a resurgence in demand for Coonawarra Cabernet after a perceived or real period when Shiraz, alternative varieties and styles garnered the spotlight. I believe this has been stimulated by new wine drinkers who are excited about discovering classic Coonawarra wines and our outstanding reputation for reliable quality and consistency.”
