2021 Sandalford Winemakers Classic Dry Red
The Winemakers Range of wines are typically a blend of both the Margaret River and Swan Valley wine growing regions. The riper, richer notes from the Swan Valley compliment the elegant and sophisticated flavours from the cooler climate of Margaret River. These wines are about imminent drinkability and crafted to suit a wide range of food. Or simply enjoy on its own.
Winemaker comments
Winemaker Notes
This wine was made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz grapes grown in the Swan Valley and Margaret wine regions. Fruit was machine harvested in the cool of the night and delivered to the winery for processing. The individual parcels of fruit were fermented separately in static fermenters and then pressed to tank at dryness to complete malolactic fermentation. The wine is then transferred to oak for maturation before blending and bottling.
Meet the maker
By the time I turned 18, I had become fascinated with wine. I was keen to learn as much about wine as I could and I received some great advice: to work in the industry before committing to any tertiary study....
Continue Reading > I was lucky enough to get my start at the cellars at Houghton Wines, here in the Swan Valley. I loved it, and it was the beginning of a career which was to eventually see me spend 20 years with Houghton’s. But first, I wanted to discover what traditional winemaking was like in the northern hemisphere. I took myself off to Burgundy, France, where I worked several vintages learning as much as I could about the craft of winemaking from some the best in the business. Returning to Australia I continued my career, picking up a few awards in the process of learning more and more about winemaking and achieving Bachelor of Applied Science and Oenology at Charles Sturt University, NSW. I was awarded the inaugural Gourmet Traveler Young Winemaker of the Year 2001, James Halliday’s Winemaker of the year in 2009, Winemaker of the Year in Ray Jordan's 2017 Annual West Australian Wine Guide, and I’ve judged extensively at capital city and regional wine shows. Australia makes some amazing world class wines! I’ve been fortunate to be Senior Winemaker at Sandalford Wines since March 2021 and I’m delighted every day by our estates’ old vines, the passion of the viticulture team here, and the outcomes we are able to achieve each vintage.
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Continue Reading > I was lucky enough to get my start at the cellars at Houghton Wines, here in the Swan Valley. I loved it, and it was the beginning of a career which was to eventually see me spend 20 years with Houghton’s. But first, I wanted to discover what traditional winemaking was like in the northern hemisphere. I took myself off to Burgundy, France, where I worked several vintages learning as much as I could about the craft of winemaking from some the best in the business. Returning to Australia I continued my career, picking up a few awards in the process of learning more and more about winemaking and achieving Bachelor of Applied Science and Oenology at Charles Sturt University, NSW. I was awarded the inaugural Gourmet Traveler Young Winemaker of the Year 2001, James Halliday’s Winemaker of the year in 2009, Winemaker of the Year in Ray Jordan's 2017 Annual West Australian Wine Guide, and I’ve judged extensively at capital city and regional wine shows. Australia makes some amazing world class wines! I’ve been fortunate to be Senior Winemaker at Sandalford Wines since March 2021 and I’m delighted every day by our estates’ old vines, the passion of the viticulture team here, and the outcomes we are able to achieve each vintage.
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Tasting notes
Varietals
Colour
Nose
Palate
Tasting Note
A medium bodied easy drinking style with no pretentions. Fruit flavours of plum, blackcurrant and raspberry marry well with the cedar wood and savoury spice notes. The fine grain tannin and soft acidity are in balance with the fruit flavours providing an imminently drinkable style of wine.
Vintage Conditions
Vineyard Notes
The 2021 vintage could be best described as challenging. A reflection of the wetter than average summer impacting picking decisions. The Caversham vineyard however fared well and produced fresh, bright, flavoursome fruit to make wines from. Grapes were phonologically ripe at time of picking and harvested with an optimal balance of sugar and flavours. The resulting wines are fresh and display wonderful bright varietal fruit characteristics.
