Ringbolt Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Ringbolt Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

While various parts of South Eastern Australia have struggled with less than ideal winemaking conditions in 2007, 2008 and 2009, Margaret River has quietly enjoyed some wonderful vintages. Even prior to 2007, on the back of three excellent vintages, the region was poised to do what it has been threatening to do for a while and move to the top of the totem so far as Australian wine production goes. While I don't believe producers in these parts would wish their Eastern states comrades ill-fortune, the star of Margaret River which has been steadily on the rise will approach the zenith by the time the next three vintages have been released.

We have known about the super premiums for a long time. Moss Wood, Leeuwin, Cullen and Cape Mentelle need no introduction but the biggest gains going forward will be in the $15-$30 price range. The 2007 Margaret River Cabernet vintage has already produced the Jimmy Watson Trophy and countless other show awards. At the just completed Macquarie Royal Sydney Wine Show 2009, the Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon went to Ringbolt Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. As impressive as a $20 wine picking up a major gong is, it is the wines it beat home, which illustrate the value here. Penfolds Bin 407, Houghton Wisdom, Hardys HRB, Wolf Blass Grey, Coldstream Reserve Cabernet, Wynns John Riddoch and the list goes on and on. I'd add that most wines retail for twice the price as Ringbolt but some are 3 and 4 times the price.

Indeed the Ringbolt encapsulates what many drinkers love about Margaret River - approachability. I don't want to turn this into a Margaret River versus Coonawarra versus Yarra battle but the balance here is difficult to emulate from other regions at such a young age. It has wonderful coffee, chocolate and leaf on the nose with an inch of briary character for interest. In the mouth it begins with dark berry fruit before teasing with bright berry and ripe flavours on a long finish. Even with the expected influx of good juice from Margaret River, I'd be surprised if anyone trumps this at twenty bucks. Now - 2018; Quality: Excellent BW; WineStar© February 2009

Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon - Macquarie Royal Sydney Wine Show 2009
Gold Medal - Macquarie Royal Sydney Wine Show 2009

Margaret River is about 100 kilometres long and runs north-south. This means the south is slightly cooler (temperature-wise) than the north, a difference you can often taste in the wines: the northern-end wines are sweeter and riper. This wine is from near the middle, though it tastes cooler. Buy the best piece of lamb you can afford, roast it up and serve it with this little beauty – we guarantee you will be onto a winner. It’s gravelly and grainy and perhaps a little herbal, but with a lamb roast all those flavours would go down a treat. The wine isn’t unripe; it’s curranty and pure and flows nicely along your tongue. Classy. Drink 2009 - 2013; Price: $24.95 Alcohol: 14.5. Seal: Cork; Score: 91 Points; The Big Red Wine Book; Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh.

It’s enlightening as a winemaker to be able work with a great expression of Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia - Margaret River. The wines from this region are quite distinctive and this award for Ringbolt is testament to the strength of the 2007 vintage in Margaret River and the meticulous efforts of our partner growers. Peter Gambetta, Winemaker

Defined by the Indian and Southern oceans, the Margaret River wine region enjoys a temperate, maritime climate providing wonderful conditions for growing superior Cabernet Sauvignon. In just a short period of time, Margaret River has established an enviable reputation for the wines of this renowned variety. Ringbolt’s 2007 vintage in Margaret River was one of the earliest, starting on the 9th of March and was completed by the 30th. A wet winter was followed by a warmer than average spring providing an excellent opening to the season for vine growth. Good rainfall after flowering with warm, mild conditions favoured the development of healthy fruit with full colour, rich berry flavours and ripe tannins.

The nose is typical of cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon showing attractive complex aromas of dark chocolate, briar and dry forest leaf litter. The palate opens with an attack of bright berry fruit and mocha yielding to fuller satsuma and creamy oak flavours; grainy tannin balances the fruit and supports the medium bodied structure. The finish is lingering with both the tannin and fruit making an equal contribution.

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