Vintage
The 2005 vintage was marked by warm and dry conditions. Overall it was slightly cooler than 2003/04 giving rise to milder fruit flavours with excellent balance and mouthfeel to the wines.
Label Integrity
100% Shiraz, (100% Margaret River).
Winemaking
For the second time in decades this wine is wholly made from Sandalford’s own estate old-vine fruit. These dry-grown vines are now 35 years old. After crushing and de-stemming this wine was fermented at a moderate pace in stainless steel static fermenters with a selected yeast strain prior to finishing primary fermentation in 50% new and 50% one-year old fine-grain American oak. Following MLF in barrel the wine was matured for 15 months in this oak prior to blending, bottling and release in mid 2007.
Tasting Notes
The old-vine fruit from Margaret River really shines in this wine. The nose and palate are loaded with super-ripe blackberries, mulberries and plum flavours. Blended in with these are the traditional hallmarks of great Shiraz, the spicy elements of pepper, cinnamon and anise. All this is complemented by judicious use of oak and this component gives rise to flavours of rum 'n'raisin, mocha and a hint of chocolate. The mouthfeel is medium to full-bodied with silky smooth tannins and beautifully balanced textural nuances. This wine will reward cellaring for at least a decade from the vintage date. The use of screwcap as the closure for this wine can only enhance all of the aforementioned characters both now and in to the future.
Ratings
- **** - Winestate Magazine, September/October 2007
Awards
- 2007 New Zealand International Wine Show: Gold
- 2007 Swan Valley Wine Show: Gold
- 2007 WA Wine Show: Silver
Vintage: 2005
Country: Western Australia
Region: Margaret River
Grower: Sandalford Winery
Colour: Red
Grape: Shiraz
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