Mount Barker / Margaret River Sandalford 1996
The 1996 Mount Barker / Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine produced by Sandalford, an estate established in 1840. The history of Sandalford is closely linked with the earliest developments of Western Australia's premium wine industry. The producer is a major presence in the wine regions of the South West and Great Southern, including the Swan Valley and Pemberton.
This vintage is crafted from fruit sourced from both Mount Barker and Margaret River in Western Australia. It is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the world's most famous blue grapes utilized for structured red wines. While this grape is widely recognized in regions such as Bordeaux, California, Washington, and Tuscany, it is also a cornerstone of Western Australian winemaking.
During the production process, the wine was matured predominantly in French oak barrels, bringing together the distinct terroirs of the Mount Barker and Margaret River areas.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Western Australia
Western Australia is Australia's largest state and covers the western third of the continent. Despite the state's enormous area, commercial wine production is almost exclusively concentrated in the southwestern corner. Recognized subregions such as Margaret River, Great Southern, Swan Valley and Mount Barker are located here. Although Western Australia only accounts for a small percentage of the country's total wine production, the region has established itself as one of Australia's most significant areas for quality wine.
The climate in the southwestern wine areas is a classic Mediterranean climate, which is strongly influenced by the maritime location facing the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. The area experiences warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. During the growing season, the high temperatures are moderated by cooling sea breezes, which creates a more temperate and stable climate compared to many of Australia's warmer inland regions.
The wine tradition in Western Australia began in 1829 with the first plantings in Swan Valley. In the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, a significant development occurred when agricultural research identified the cooler southwestern coastal areas as ideal for viticulture. This led to the founding of areas such as Margaret River and Great Southern. Today, the region's vineyards are especially planted with grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Riesling, and the industry is largely driven by smaller, specialized wineries.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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