Katnook Estate Founder's Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Coonawarra Character Without the Fuss

There are few Australian wine regions as instantly recognisable as Coonawarra, and fewer still where Cabernet Sauvignon seems so completely at home. At the heart of this famous South Australian strip of terra rossa soil sits Katnook Estate, a name deeply woven into the region’s modern winemaking story. The estate’s history reaches back to pioneer John Riddoch, whose early plantings helped establish Coonawarra’s reputation, while Katnook’s modern winemaking era began in 1971, with its first contemporary commercial vintage released in 1980.

Origins

Founder’s Block pays tribute to that history, taking its name from Riddoch’s original landholding and turning the estate’s Coonawarra pedigree into a wine designed to be approachable, generous and thoroughly enjoyable. The secret to the wine’s character begins beneath the vines. Coonawarra’s famous terra rossa soils sit over an ancient limestone ridge, creating conditions particularly well suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. The region’s relatively cool climate encourages a long, gradual ripening season, helping the grapes retain freshness and natural acidity while developing the dark-fruited intensity that makes Coonawarra Cabernet so distinctive.

Winemaking

In the winery, Founder’s Block is made to showcase fruit rather than bury it beneath excessive oak or winemaking intervention. Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented to extract colour, flavour and structure, before maturation in a combination of French and American oak adds spice, savoury complexity and a gentle framework of tannin. The result is not a heavyweight Cabernet trying to impress by sheer muscle. It is a more polished proposition: ripe, balanced and immediately inviting.

Tasting

In the glass, expect classic Coonawarra aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and dark plum, alongside hints of mint, cedar, subtle spice and chocolatey oak. The palate is rich without becoming heavy, with juicy cassis and dark berry flavours supported by fine, textured tannins and a refreshing line of acidity. There is a pleasing savoury edge as the wine opens, giving it greater depth and keeping the finish lively. It is the kind of Cabernet that can be enjoyed young, yet has enough structure to reward a little patience in the cellar.

Awards and Accolades

Founder’s Block has also attracted plenty of attention beyond the cellar door. Previous vintages have collected medals at major international competitions, including a Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge for the 2015 vintage, while the 2014 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. Earlier vintages have also received strong critical reviews, reinforcing the wine’s reputation for delivering classic Coonawarra Cabernet character at an accessible level.

And that is perhaps the real charm of Founder’s Block. It carries the history, soil and Cabernet expertise of one of Coonawarra’s most respected estates, but it does not demand ceremony. This is Cabernet with pedigree that still remembers the pleasure of simply opening a bottle, pouring a glass and settling in for the evening. It is polished rather than showy, confident rather than complicated — a thoroughly Australian expression of Cabernet Sauvignon with Coonawarra written all over it.