THE AUSTRALIAN ARK – Federation to the Modern Era | 1900–1982
1980 LINDEMAN’S ST GEORGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON Coonawarra, South Australia
The 1980 Lindeman’s St George Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the most successful show wines of the era. Together with the success of the 1976 Limestone Ridge Cabernet Shiraz, it spearheaded the reputation of Coonawarra as Australia’s premium cabernet sauvignon region. But it also marked the end of cane pruning at Lindeman’s and the beginning of a lacklustre period. The 1986 vintage, the last great wine under this marque, was heavily discounted, and the brand never truly recovered, a scenario that is echoed in other brands, such as Stonyfell, Krondorf, and Balgownie. The 1980 vintage was subsequently criticised for its shaded fruit character, although the leafy characters still give remaining bottles a real character of place, and it remains a great wine of the era.
Cullen Family, Wilyabrup, Margaret River,
Western Australia 1980s (From left: Vanya, Ariane, Shel, Diana Madeline, Kevin John, Stewart, Digby, Rick) [Cullen Collection]
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