Overview
The 2018 Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic Barossa Cabernet from one of Australia's most admired traditional producers. Rifle Range has been part of Rockford since the beginning, with fruit drawn predominantly from vineyards along Rifle Range Road behind the winery.
Grown on heavy black cracking Biscay clay, the wine carries the rich, earthy and savoury character that makes Rockford's Barossa Cabernet so distinctive. The 2018 vintage was highly successful, producing a naturally balanced wine with concentration, precision and excellent cellaring potential.
Vintage & Winemaking
Rockford describes 2018 as the kind of vintage winemakers look forward to, with parcels picked across a three-week period to build complexity and natural balance. The fruit comes predominantly from Rifle Range Road vineyards, where Cabernet Sauvignon is shaped by warm Barossa conditions and the region's distinctive soils.
Rockford is known for traditional Australian winemaking, long-standing grower partnerships and a winery equipped with historic tools from the pioneer era, preserving a gentle, hands-on approach to Barossa red wine.
Product Highlights
- Classic Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon from Rockford Wines.
- Fruit predominantly from Rifle Range Road vineyards.
- 95 points from The Wine Front.
- 92 points from Huon Hooke, The Real Review.
- 93 points from CellarTracker.
- Warm-climate Barossa Cabernet with rich, earthy character.
- Traditional Rockford style from one of Australia's cult producers.
Critic Scores & Reviews
- 95 points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front: "A wonderful expression of Barossa red. Thoroughly charming."
- 92 points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review: "The wine is very intense and elegantly structured."
- 93 points - CellarTracker.
Tasting Notes
Plum, blackberry, liquorice, violet and a subtle roast red capsicum note sit alongside savoury complexity and dried rose detail. The palate is medium-bodied yet intense, with tight tannins, freshness, precision and excellent length.
Food Pairing
Pair with beef, venison, lamb shoulder, ribeye, slow-braised short ribs or aged cheddar.
Cellaring Potential
Drink now to 2035+. Rockford suggests the wine will reward cellaring for a further six to eight years from release, while The Wine Front lists a drinking range of 2022-2035+.
About Rockford Wines
Rockford Wines is a small boutique producer based in South Australia's Barossa Valley, founded by Robert O'Callaghan. Known for Basket Press Shiraz, Sparkling Black Shiraz and Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockford works with long-standing grower partners and traditional winemaking equipment to produce rich, earthy, soft and age-worthy Barossa wines.
Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon pays homage to its historic roots along Rifle Range Road, once home to a rifle range and now a source of some of the valley's distinctive Cabernet fruit.
Specifications
- Producer: Rockford Wines
- Wine: Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vintage: 2018
- Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
- Country: Australia
- Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Wine Style: Red Wine - Rich and Intense
- Bottle Size: 750ml
