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Cape Mentelle

http://www.capementelle.com.au/

One of the most remote wine regions in the world in the south west corner of Australia, its natural beauty with spectacular coastlines captivates visitors.
Here the maritime influence of the Indian Ocean ensures even temperatures, providing excellent vintage conditions.
Cape Mentelle pioneered many of the region's renowned wine styles and today is a benchmark for the quality of the region's wines. Accolades including consecutive wins of Australia's most prestigious wine trophy with the iconic Cabernet Sauvignon in 1983 and 1984, helped put Margaret River on the international wine map.
Building on the winery's tradition of pioneering spirit and uncompromising commitment to excellence an innovative young team is taking up the challenge to be "Simply the Best"!

Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 ($85)

Wow. These guys have been working on taking their flagship Cabernet to even high levels. This wine has a ripe, juicy succulence, displaying immense power and fruit concentration. The structure is superb and classically cabernet. Potentially the best yet.

Score:97/100

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 ($27.50)

Beautifully precise and pristine, minerally wine, revealing an almost slaty character. The palate is austere and lingering with a refreshing tightness concealing plenty of powerful intensity.

Score:92/100

Wallcliffe Sauvignon Blanc semillon 2006 ($40)

This distinctive wine has become one of my favourites. Uses indigenous yeasts and new and one-year-old French oak to build complexity and palate texture and weight. Has been lightened off in recent years and all the better. Outstanding style worth cellaring.

Score: 91/100

Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 ($80)

These Cabernets just seem to get better with each year and this is absolutely one of the very finest. It's immensely power and concentrated with classic Margaret River flesh and an excellent structure of fully ripe tannins, substantial balanced oak and concentrated powerful fruit. A great wine.

Score:96/100

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007 ($25)

At the time of tasting this was still very tight but it is nonetheless a terrific follow-up to the sensational 2006. Very intense and crunchy ripe fruit with poise and delicate acidity sustaining a long flavour profile. Citrus tang and generous flavours.

Score:92/100

Chardonnay 2006 ($43)

Exquisite example of Chardonnay from this exceptionally cool vintage. There is power and finesse with great power and length on the palate. Slightly toasty oak merges neatly into the lovely palate.

Score:93/100

Shiraz 2005 ($36)

This is a relatively tight expression of Shiraz for Cape Mentelle and seems to show more French oak influence. Love the spicy peppery palate with its red berry richness, firm but fine tannins and wonderfully rich and concentrated flavours. Excellent cellaring potential.

Score:94/100