Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
- 96
- $110
- Drink by: 2023-2043
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From the Trinders and Wallcliffe vineyards, with some vines dating back to 1970, making them some of the very oldest in the Margaret River region. Another sumptuous and superb Cabernet. There would be a great many wineries in this country very happy to present this as their prestige Cabernet, rather than the supporting act. It is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot and 1% Shiraz. Maturation was for 18 months in French oak, 80% of which is new. An opaque magenta hue, this is powerful and concentrated and yet at all times refined and balanced. Has the same extra degree of punch and concentration as the 2018 Shiraz, so perhaps an ’18 vintage thing. The nose is rich with notes of chocolate mudcake, black fruits, soy, cloves, leather and tobacco leaves, all focussed with direction and abundant but ever-so-silky tannins plus seriously impressive length. This will provide pleasure for at least ten, and more likely twenty years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
