| 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 follow-up vintage to the inaugural 2002 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 2003 vintage was marked by dry and warm conditions, which lasted all through the harvest season. All fruit was disease-free. In line with this were fully developed flavours and tannins supported by moderate levels of acidity. A very good vintage overall.
Label Integrity
100% Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Margaret River)
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 late March 2003. 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 2005. Maximum cellaring potential under ideal conditions will be twenty-five years.
Presentation
500 cases only. This wine has been bottled totally under screwcap (Stelvin) utilising imported premium French glass. At bottling, each bottle was hand-packed in to premium lay-down six packs. Every bottle is individually numbered and capsule neck tags have been hand applied.
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 2003 Sandalford Cabernet Sauvignon was a triple Gold Medal
winner (Brisbane, Adelaide and WA wine shows). 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 super-ripe 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 25 years.
Reviews
“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.
“Another triumph for winemaker Paul Boulden, and this Margaret River vineyard. Impressive purity of blackberry and mulberry fruit, fresh and succulent: fleshy with a lingering aftertaste. Complex and impeccably balanced.”
- STM Magazine May 14 2006
“The new release of the company’s premium red, The Prendiville Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, will not be until 2007 but a sneak preview tells us that it is another winner. While a touch behind the superstar 2002 release it will be one of the great Margaret River Cabernets of the 2003 vintage, and possible the finest. Time will tell!”
- Invinity Newsletter 30th May 2006.
“The flagship Margaret River cabernet is a tour de force that deserves plenty of bottle age but is impressive right now. The tight, refined nose suggests dark chocolate, cedar, black fruits and spice. The palate has great depth and persistence. It’s dry and ripe with a great balance of fine tannins underneath and a long elegant finish. ***** ”
- The Age, 9th January 2007.
“The second vintage of this Margaret River super cab is right on song: powerful yet elegant, with classic blackberry cabernet flavours and balanced oak. Terrific structure. Best now to 2018+. 95/100”
- Good Living – Sydney Morning Herald, 23rd January 2007 by Huon Hooke.
“The Prendivilles are Sandalford's owners. Let's hope they're into cellaring because this needs time. Concentrated briary, blackberry regional flavours. Hints of seaweed and balanced oak. It's powerful but still just a pup. 95/100.”
- Gourmet Traveller Wine, April 2007 by Huon Hooke.
Assessment
N/A
Awards
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