Product Information:
This is classic Rifle Range. Dense dark fruits, milky chocolate, remnants of once rosy perfume is exchanged for jammy sundried fruits and a smattering of dried herbs and sweet red roasted capsicums. Charming red, with black olive tapenade, and savoury earthy notes. Rich, soft, and ready for the taking.
The love of bore target shooting, was one of the many European traditions that the first settles brought to the Barossa. Of course the wine, food, and fun that ensued was an important part of early Barossan social life. Rifle Range Road which runs parallel to Krondorf Road, in the heart of the Valley Floor and winds its way up the hills to Kaiser Stuhl National Park. While the old rifle range is long gone, the farming land and vineyards that have always been part of the landscape are still there. Because most of Rockford's Cabernet Sauvignon comes from vineyards adjacent to Rifle Range Road, it was the most appropriate name for this wine which has been part of Rockford since the very beginning.
Made using traditional winemaking techniques. By aging the wine in large, seasoned oak vats (4500 litres) and hogsheads (300 litres) for two years this allowed the wine to marry flavours, colour, while retaining good tannin structure. A big Aussie claret built for the distance.
Maker:
Discover the essence of Barossa Valley's heart in Tanunda at Rockford, where a legacy of tantalizing taste experiences has been crafted since the 1980s. During those times, the land was more accessible, offering an inviting opportunity for aspiring winemakers to thrive. Robert O'Callaghan, the visionary founder and proprietor, seized the moment and acquired the property that is now home to Rockford. Building strong connections with local grape growers and acquiring top-notch winemaking equipment, Robert embarked on his remarkable winemaking odyssey at Rockford, paving the way for unforgettable wine journeys.
Since its inception, Rockford has embraced a small-scale approach, nurturing close relationships with growers and forging genuine connections with customers. This steadfast commitment to personal connections sets Rockford apart, a competitive edge that stems from decades of fostering rapport within the local community. The land upon which Rockford stands boasts a rich history, its buildings and equipment carefully preserved throughout the years, exuding an enchanting antique charm. During the exploration of the premises, the captivating aroma of wine production permeates the air, immersing individuals in a sensory experience that harmoniously blends with the site's distinctive ambiance. Amidst the allure of Rockford's surroundings, the wines themselves take centre stage. Crafted with passion and meticulous attention to detail, they encapsulate the essence of Barossa Valley's terroir. Each sip unveils a delightful flavour profile, a testament to Rockford's dedication to producing wines that captivate the palate and evoke a genuine sense of pleasure.
Vineyard:
In addition to the small home vineyard, Rockford works in partnership with several independent wine growers around Barossa, with vineyards in Kalimna, Ebenezer, Moppa Springs, the Eden Valley and central Barossa. This gives Rockford a wide variety of soil types, mesoclimates and altitudes for its grapes. Many of the vines are planted on their own rootstocks and range up to 130 years old, giving intense, concentrated grapes, and wines with the same attributes. Winemaking is largely traditional, using basket presses, open-topped slate fermenters and a 1880s petrol-driven Bagshaw destemmer/crusher.
Nose - Dusty Cedar, Fresh Cassis, Chocolate
Earthy, dusty and cedary aromas of fresh cassis, raspberries and chocolate
Palate - Briar, Poached Blackberries, Blueberries
Silky smooth, with almost shiraz-like sweetness and structure of juicy, slightly baked blackberries, and raspberries.
Finish - Vanilla Oak, Malt, Dried Herbs
Blueberries and fresh cedar/vanilla oak finish with nuances of dried herbs.
An early-maturing cabernet from a warmer year whose earthy, dusty and cedary aromas of fresh cassis, raspberries, chocolate and briar are restrained but rather jammy. Silky smooth, with almost shiraz-like sweetness and structure of juicy, slightly baked blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and fresh cedar/vanilla oak, it does finish slightly attenuated, with nuances of dried herbs and reflects some under and overripe fruit. - Jeremy Oliver, olivers-wines.com.au.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon
Country - Australia
Region - Barossa Valley, South Australia
9Vintage - 2008
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%
Closure - Cork
