Vintage
The 2007 vintage was the earliest start to vintage in recorded history at Sandalford Wines. Picking dates were some two to six weeks ahead of the 'average'. The main contributors to this were the very warm and dry summer conditions, the cumulative effect of successive years of drought and the ultra cool conditions for the growing season of the 2006 vintage. The other big news out of vintage 2007 was the large reduction in expected crop levels. In some cases yields were down 50%. The overall effect however of all the above is that the fruit from this year's harvest is perfectly ripe and that fruit flavour and intensity in addition to tannin structure for the reds, is outstanding. This will give great cellaring potential to all those styles suited to longer maturation in bottle.
Varietal Breakdown
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region
100% Margaret River
Winemakers Comments
The fruit for this wine came exclusively from our 37 year old, dry grown Margaret River Estate vineyard. After crushing and de-stemming the Cabernet fruit was inoculated with a selected yeast strain and fermented in small 10 tonne static fermenters. The traditional methods of rack and return and pumping over were employed during fermentation to optimise colour, flavour and tannin extraction from the fermenting must. Post-ferment the wine was left on skins (maceration) for one to two weeks prior to pressing. The pressings were mixed back with the free-run wine and then inoculated for MLF with selected bacteria. After the completion of MLF the wine was racked and transferred to both new and one year old French oak. At the end of barrel maturation the various wine components were blended, fined and given minimal filtration prior to bottling.
Colour
Dark Cherry with a magenta hue.
Nose:
Very much a classic "Bordeaux" like nose with ripe berry fruits and a touch of violet. Oak nuances are well and truly integrated in to the bouquet.
Palate:
Quite young and fresh still. Certainly ripe juicy dark fruit flavours with textured tannins and a warming mouthfeel. Slightly more herbal and savoury in nature, as opposed to a "sweet" fruit style. No evidence of jamminess. Balanced with good length, this wine will cellar well under the correct conditions for several more years to come.
Assessments
"Very Bordeaux-like, with big, ripe perfumed fruit bouquet showing a cedary edge. Wonderful flavours fill the mouth and are supported by tannins."
Winestate Magazine, Special Edition 2010
"Strong minty character on the nose with some nice blackcurrant and black olives. Superb structure and intensity with excellent fruit and oak integration. Good fruit concentration with a very long finish. Powerful ripe tannins with a little grip. Classy wine that makes the evolution of this producer. 94/100"
"Ray Jordan, The West Australian, 2009
Awards
- "Jet Star Trophy"- Best Cabernet Sauvignon, Australian Wine Challenge 2009 (Vietnam)
Vintage: 2007
Country: Western Australia
Region: Margaret River
Grower: Sandalford Winery
Colour: Red
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alc.(%vol): 14.1%
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