The great rivalry of Aussie Cabernet
When winemaker Julian Langworthy returned to his hometown of Margaret River in 2011, after working in wineries across the globe, he set his sights on making the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignon. At acclaimed winery Deep Woods Estate, a steady stream of awards suggests he’s well on his way.
“My life in wine has been a life in Cabernet,” says Julian. “What I really want to achieve is to make the world’s best Cabernet, and in Margaret River I’m 100% certain that we can do that.”
On the other side of the country, in South Australia’s Coonawarra wine region, the team at the historic Wynns Coonawarra Estate are continuing to raise the bar for Coonawarra Cabernet, and ensuring it has a bright future ahead.
Viticulturist and researcher Dr Catherine Kidman is helping to shape the future of Australian Cabernet through cutting-edge trials and technologies to improve the quality of the vines. She’s also working to make the vineyards more sustainable for a changing climate.
“We have some of the oldest Cabernet vines in Coonawarra and we’re really wanting to unlock what makes these vines so special,” says Cath. “I’ve been really excited to work with a team that’s keen to unlock some of the mysteries of Cabernet.”
In both the Margaret River and Coonawarra wine regions, passionate producers are crafting Cabernet wines that are truly world class. And that passion has fostered one of the great rivalries of Australian wine. Which region produces our best Cabernet: Coonawarra or Margaret River?
The question gets even more complicated when you factor in the brilliant wines from other top Cabernet regions, including the Yarra Valley, Clare Valley, Langhorne Creek, Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. It also highlights one of the most exciting things about Australian Cabernet – it’s always evolving.
On top of the wine world
Cabernet Sauvignon – thought to have been created by a crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc a few hundred years ago – has a long history in Australia. It arrived here in the 1830s from Europe, but got off to a slow start. Cabernet is a demanding vine that’s fussy about climate and soils, so it took time for growers to figure out where it grew best.
Today, Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Australia’s great wines, and our third most planted variety, after Shiraz and Chardonnay. Some of the oldest surviving Cabernet vines in the world grow here, including in a Barossa vineyard planted in 1885.
Dark and distinctive, Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is loved for its rich flavours and incredible ability to get better with age. Wineries produce a range of styles, from lighter and elegant to powerful and robust, but Cabernet Sauvignon’s character always shines through. This intensely flavoured wine also makes a great blending partner. In fact, some of the greatest Australian wines ever made are a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, including the world-famous Penfolds Grange, Bin 60A and Bin 389.
Diverse, dynamic and full of personality, Cabernet Sauvignon plays a major role in Australian wine. With so many talented growers and winemakers intent on making better Cabernet wines than ever before, it’s exciting times ahead for this venerable variety.
