Tasting Notes 🍷

• Colour – Deep ruby red, with vibrant clarity
• Nose – Fragrant aromas of red berries, with a hint of bay leaves and soft spice, providing an inviting complexity
• Palate – A bright burst of red berries at the forefront, with blueberries and cranberries bringing warmth and comfort. The wine is balanced by fine tannins and a smooth, approachable structure, leading to a long, elegant finish

Winemaking Process

After destemming, individual batches of fruit were lightly crushed and fermented in closed-top fermenters with selected yeasts. Cap management was gentle to preserve fruit perfume and soft tannins, with maceration periods of up to 24 days. The wine was basket-pressed to separate the pressing wine and matured for 15 months in French oak barrels, 26% of which were new. Limited racking allowed for gentle integration of flavours, and the wine was left unfined before being bottled in September 2021.

Vintage Description

The 2020 vintage in Margaret River was marked by warm, dry conditions, allowing for early harvesting, one of the earliest on record. With lower yields and minimal disease pressure, fruit quality was exceptional. Warm summer temperatures across the season contributed to excellent ripeness, and a timely flowering of native marri trees ensured minimal bird damage. The resulting fruit was of high quality, with concentrated flavours and balanced acidity.

Blend

• 95% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 3% Cabernet Franc
• 1% Petit Verdot
• 1% Merlot

Harvested
January 2020

Pressing
Basket press with separate pressing of wine

Fermentation
Individually fermented in closed top fermenters with selected yeasts

Maturation
15 months in French oak barrels (26% new)

Bottled
September 2021

Analysis

• Alcohol – 13.7%
• Total Acidity – 6.2 g/L
• pH – 3.61
• Suitable for vegans

Awards

• Halliday Wine Companion 2024
  Jane Faulkner 95 points
  “A glass of this and all’s well. Fragrant with mulberries, cassis, nori and baking spices, the medium-bodied palate is superfine and long with textural tannins adding to the pleasure.”

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Slow-cooked beef cheek and mushroom ragu with homemade pappardelle
• Mediterranean grilled eggplant
• Aged Jamon Iberico

FAQ: Wine Terms 🤔

• Cabernet Sauvignon – A full-bodied red grape variety known for its deep colour, intense flavours of blackcurrant, and strong tannin structure. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest grape varieties, especially in regions like Margaret River.
• Cabernet Franc – A red grape variety often used as a blending component. It adds aromatic complexity and softer tannins, with flavours ranging from red berries to bell pepper and herbs.
• Petit Verdot – A red grape variety that contributes depth and structure to blends. Known for its intense colour and spicy, dark fruit flavours.
• Tannins – Natural compounds in grape skins, seeds, and stems that provide structure and help wines age. Tannins give red wines their astringency and contribute to the mouthfeel.
• French Oak – A type of oak commonly used in winemaking, known for imparting subtle flavours of spice, vanilla, and toasted wood. New French oak, in particular, can add structure and complexity to a wine.

Serving Temperature 🌡️

• Best served at 16-18°C
• If stored at room temperature above 20°C, place in the fridge for 60 minutes before serving
• Decant for 30-60 minutes before serving to allow the wine to fully open up

Learn About Cape Mentelle

Cape Mentelle is one of Margaret River’s ‘founding five’ wineries, which pioneered many of the region’s renowned wine styles. The winery takes its name from the nearby Cape, named by the French ‘Baudin Expedition’ which navigated the coast of Western Australia in 1801. They named the Cape after two notable French scientists, geographer Edmund and his cartographer brother Francois-Simon Mentelle, who lived in Paris in the early 1700’s.

At Cape Mentelle, we draw inspiration from the great wines of the world, which is evident in the techniques employed in our vineyards. Our goal is to craft wines that encapsulate a distinct sense of place in every bottle. These characteristics are shaped by our pristine coastal location, unique soils, and 50 years of viticultural history. Our philosophy extends beyond the glass as we strive to establish a legacy of sustainability and longevity.

Want to read more about Cape Mentelle? including wine reviews? then check out Ray Jordan.

If there is a Cape Mentelle wine we don’t stock we can order it in for you. Email us at info@partnersinwine.com.au