RINGBOLT Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
Winner of the James Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge 2019
The grapes for this wine are grown on a number of sites, mostly around Margaret River’s flagship Wilyabrup sub-region, close to the Indian Ocean. Two soil types, sandy or lateritic gravel, both restrict vine yields and the vineyards also have a range of aspects. These variations offer many blending options and provide Ringbolt with much of its complexity
The nose is typically rich, with aromas of black cherries, cassis and forest floor characters. Lively and intense blackberry flavours dominate the palate, progressing to rich, dark chocolate and finishing with succulent tannins. The wine is matured for 11 months in mostly used American and French oak barriques and hogsheads. Cellar for 8-10 years.
Margaret River
Located three hours south of Perth, Margaret River is Western Australia’s most prestigious wine-growing region. Serious vineyard development began only in the late 1960’s following the publication of a report by John Gladstones in 1965 stating that the area had a similar climate to Pomerol or St Emilion, with low frost risk, plenty of sunshine and equable temperatures within the growing season promoting even ripening. Margaret River’s climate is warm and maritime, with some cooling influence provided by southeast trade winds. The soils derive from granitic and a gneissic rock over which laterite has formed. The region can be divided in three sub-regions: the cooler south between Yallingup and Karridale with predominantly lateritic gravelly loamy sands and sandy loams; the warm and sunnier Willyabrup in the centre with predominantly gravelly loams, but some gritty sandy loams and granitic gravels; and Margaret River in the north with similar soils, but slightly cooler temperatures. This is entirely consistent with style; the wines from Willyabrup being more generous than the highly structured wines of the north and the elegant styles of the south. Margaret River is best known for high quality Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends and top notch Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends. Over the years, the region has established an astonishing reputation illustrating a consistency in quality and a strongly focused winemaking culture.
