The kinship that Cabernet Sauvignon has with a maritime
climate is understood due to history of Bordeaux’s Medoc region. Cabernet
Sauvignon’s origins can be traced back to France’s Bordeaux region.
Over the past 15 years or so there have been many articles written by proponents of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon such as James Halladay, Oz Clarke, Robert Parker Jr and James Suckling and I agree that these wines are authentic, terrific and dynamic.
Cabernet Sauvignon reaches its highpoint (although Napa
Valley may beg to differ these days) on the gravel soils of the Medoc, on the
left bank of the Gironde estuary where it is widely blended with Merlot,
Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. Within the Medoc are the famous communes, which
produce some of the world’s best red wines.
Okay…so, it is fairly obvious that most (but not all) of
Australia’s top quality cabernets come from regions with climates similar to
Bordeaux (noticeably Coonawarra and Margaret River) which have a closeness to
the sea and without any mountainous regions. Cabernet Sauvignon is a somewhat
low yielding varietal, with small berries and thick skins, which give off high
color, flavor and tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon ripens late, and has firm tannin
structure that guarantees that it’s capable of producing wines with good
potential to improve with cellaring.
Cabernet Sauvignon has been in Australia for a very long
time. Early records show that by the end of the 19th century it had spread to
South Australia’s Clare, Barossa, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra regions as well
as in Victoria. Today Cabernet Sauvignon is really considered one of Australia’s
great red wines and is widely grown all over the country, from the cool climate
of Tasmania to some first-rate vineyards in Western Australia.
So let’s get on with
the key Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Regions!
Coonawarra Cabernet
Sauvignon
The fine strip of red ‘terra rossa’ soil over a limestone base
produces Cabernet Sauvignon of distinction and refined structure, with the best
wines merging sophistication and power. There’s this chocolate intermingled
with the fruit and cedary oak. Lingering flavors are focused by dusty fine
tannins that jog my memory to Rutherford California ...Coonawarra Estates has some fine Cabs as does Phoenix Estate. Penfold 169 is a high end...there is also Penfolds 407 which is a blend of several regions including a good dose of Coonawarra.
Barossa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon
The Barossa Valley has been an important source of Cabernet
Sauvignon, largely as a blending partner with Shiraz. The Barossa Valley makes
terrific Shiraz. There are vines of Cabernet Sauvignon in the adjacent Eden
Valley also but are of smaller quantity, but fit well with the warm Barossa
material. Elderton Estate is one that I like as well as Peter Lehman's wines.
Margaret River
Cabernet Sauvignon
Margaret River has fashioned some of Australia’s finest
Cabernet Sauvignons over the past 25 years and is praiseworthy just like
Coonawarra. Their best vintages are hardly ever green, and have ripe black
fruits, earth and spicy characters. The majority of Margaret River and Western
Australian Cabernet Sauvignons, totally benefits from the blending Merlot. The
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignons vintages of late have been outstanding.
There have been last six have been good to excellent vintages from 2007 to ’10
decidedly so and ’11 and ’12 to showing well too.
Mt Barker Cabernet
Sauvignon
This West Australian region is known for some outstanding
red wines. The overall climate and terroir is restrained enough to foster
Cabernet Sauvignon to full ripeness with abundant structure and the capacity to
develop into great wines.
Yarra Valley Cabernet
Sauvignon
Some of Australia’s top Cabernet Sauvignon-based reds come
from the Yarra Valley, from nicely situated vineyards with great terroir. These
wines are low in extraction, supple in texture, with lean blackcurrant flavors
backed by hints of Eucalyptus and Black Olives.
Langhorne Creek
Cabernet Sauvignon
One of the mainstays for Cabernet Sauvignon many years,
there are some of the oldest vines and areas of superior soil in Langhorne
Creek that make very rich, substantial and earthy wine. That is offset by notes
of cedar with hints of cardamom, tobacco and licorice spice.
Clare Valley Cabernet
Sauvignon
The Clare Valley produces very deep, concentrated Cabernet
Sauvignon of power and elegance. This region should not be overlooked. These are
wines that possess great aromatics that can have good structure that are medium
to long-term propositions in the cellar.
Other Australian
Cabernet Sauvignon regions
The above regions are the prime areas that produce Cabernet
of renowned quality. Other notable Cabernet Sauvignon regions include Central
Victoria, South Australia’s McLaren Vale region, the famous Mudgee and the
Hilltops in New South Wales.
Some of my favorites are from Mclaren Vale...seek Mitolo Jester, Two Hands and Kangarilla Road.
Some of my favorites are from Mclaren Vale...seek Mitolo Jester, Two Hands and Kangarilla Road.
There is a wide range of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon
styles and regional characters, from elegant, medium-bodied examples through to
full-bodied reds full of intense black fruit flavors, with oak to match and
firm tannins. Australian Cabernet Sauvignons are generally versatile, rich and
well structured, and usually benefit from further age in bottle, so it’s also
well worth cellaring them for a year or two.
Australian Cabs also can be decanted as an option! Use a
nice big 750ml glass…
By the way…Grilled Steaks and Burgers with Dijon Mustard, Slow
Roasted Shoulder of Lamb with Fresh Mint Sauce, BBQ Ribs in a spice rub or
sauce are great place to start for food pairing as well.
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