Cape Mentelle Margaret River Shiraz Cabernet 2018

Cape Mentelle was founded in 1970 by wine industry pioneer David Hohnen and stands among Margaret River's original wineries. This blend draws the plush, savoury side of shiraz together with the elegance, length and structure of cabernet, returning to an Australian winemaking tradition of pairing the two varieties. The result, from Margaret River fruit, is rich and deeply textured. Aromatics run to dark forest berries, black cherry and black currant, with orange marmalade and intense smoked charcuterie, while finer threads of flint and jasmine blossom sit alongside leather, tobacco, licorice and cardamom.

On the palate there is plum, cranberry and ripe black forest berry fruit of mulberry and blackberry, layered over cured charcuterie and smoked peppercorn. Oak contributes vanilla, licorice and clove, which interlace with red earthy notes and hints of black truffle and forest floor. Tannins are silky and round, carrying real volume and length through a powerful wine of beautiful structure and complexity. Ripe fruit, subtle oak and soft tannins stay in balance to a smooth, refined finish. Bottled at 14.8% ABV in 750 ml. Coralie Lewis, Cape Mentelle Winemaker.