The Cabernet Cup – Coonawarra vs Stags Leap by Larry Walker and Max Allen (Wine Magazine)
Coonawarra and Stags Leap might both be deemed worthy of the world’s Cabernet Sauvignon crown, but determining the who, what and why behind these two prestigious regions is not quite as clear cut. LARRY WALKER and MAX ALLEN inspect their national assets, while our tasters compare the most recent vintage from each to determine whether their status is justified
One grape, but two very different styles of wine – this was the theme that emerged during our tasting of Stags Leap and Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Despite evident blackcurrant fruit, fine tannins and a linearity often associated with this variety – which is arguably one of the world’s finest – the individual terroir of both regions shaped the wine into something quite distinct.
