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Philosophy
Margaret River is arguably the greatest
region in Australia for the growing and making of Cabernet Sauvignon
wine amongst others. Within this context Sandalford Wines owns one of
the largest and oldest vineyards in Margaret River with initial
plantings taking place in 1970. Today the vineyard encompasses 93
producing hectares of which a substantial portion is planted to Cabernet
Sauvignon.
The Sandalford premium Cabernet Sauvignon has come of age during the
21st century and with this in mind a decision was made to make an icon
wine from this variety which would set a new standard and become one of
Margaret River’s benchmark styles. To this end Sandalford Wines is proud
to release this ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Named after the
Prendiville family, owners of Sandalford Wines, this wine will only be
released in great vintages and only as a limited release 500 case lot.
Vintage
The 2002 vintage was marked by dry, cool to mild conditions, which
lasted all through the harvest season. In line with this were fully
developed flavours and tannins supported by moderate to high levels of
acidity. All these features combined to make red wines with understated
power and longevity. A great vintage by any standard.
Winemaking
There are 12 distinct blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon grown on
Sandalford’s Margaret River estate. We have found over the years
that three blocks (13, 14 & 15) consistently give us the
ultimate expression of this varietal. The fruit from these
blocks was machine harvested in mild daytime conditions early to
mid April 2002. The wine underwent a moderately slow, long
fermentation in small; ten tonne open fermenters before extended
skin maceration and pressing. After malolactic fermentation the
wine was transferred to only the very best 100% new French oak
barriques. Maturation time in this oak was two years. Out of the
200 barriques initially allocated to Blocks 13, 14 & 15 for
maturation, 20 were individually selected by the winemaking team
as being the, “Best of the best.” These 20 barriques were then
blended, fined and minimally filtered prior to bottling in
December 2004 and released in April 2005. Maximum cellaring
potential under ideal conditions will be twenty-five years.
Tasting Notes
The 2001 Sandalford Cabernet Sauvignon won the Trophy for, “Best
Cabernet Sauvignon in Show” at the Royal Hobart Wine Show in 2002. The
2002 Sandalford Cabernet Sauvignon went on to win trophies for, “Best
Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon” and “Best Wine in Show” at the 2003
Margaret River Wine Show. The 2002 Prendiville Reserve assumes another
level above these wines as they are blended after the selection process
has taken place for the Prendiville Reserve.
On the nose this wine is brimming with redcurrant, cassis, briary fruit
notes and essence of vanilla and cedar from the oak influence. There is
also that unmistakable hint of “wet forest floor”, which often defines a
Margaret River regional character. The mouthfeel is full-bodied with all
that is on the nose flowing through on to the palate. The silky tannins
give texture to the wine whilst the oak flavours are in harmony and
balanced by the overt fruit nuances. A wine, which will cellar for up to
twenty years.
Assessment
“It has archetypal Margaret River cabernet sauvignon characters and is
huge, ripe, fruit sweet and rich. It has magnificent full, dense,
succulent and long fruit characters. At four years of age it can be
consumed in a prestigious situation now. The wine will also continue to
improve for 20 years. The packaging is as up-market as the wine. The
wine alters Sandalford’s position in the Margaret River wine hierarchy.
And we reckon that other producers should be achieving at this level
too. 18.6 points.”
- Western Suburbs Weekly, Tue 26th April 2005.
“The Prendiville Cabernet Sauvignon has a wonderful purity of flavour –
an elemental expression of redcurrant, mulberry and cassis; velvety;
almost lush texture; seamless integration of fruit and oak; complexity;
depth; length and admirable balance. How good is it? I regard Cullen and
Moss Wood the finest expression of Margaret River cabernet and believe
the Prendiville deserves to be ranked alongside them.”
- STM Magazine.
Awards
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