Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Good vintage conditions in 2020 – low yields, warm, dry weather, no bird issues – brings a stunning Cabernet Sauvignon to the glass, one that reflects great purity and balance. Starts with a scent of the vineyard, of the Australian bush, wild flowers, acacia and bramble with bay leaf notes amid earthy black fruits. There’s a richness and depth of flavour. Firm, fine tannins run throughout to a long finish. A touch of savouriness, of smoked meats and charcuterie linger among the leaves, roasting herbs and cassis flavoured fruits. A beautiful seamless integration of fruit, oak, tannins that brings Margaret River Cabernet to life in the glass. The 2020 vintage is really bringing out some star performances.

Jeni Port

Wine critic at Winepilot

Jeni Port is one of Australia’s top wine communicators. Based in Melbourne, Jeni created the first wine column in the (then) Sun News-Pictorial before moving over to The Age and becoming that paper’s longest-serving wine writer. Over the years she has written for most Australian wine magazines and these days calls WinePilot home. She is also a Tasting Panel member on the Halliday Wine Companion. She was named Wine Communicator of the Year and Legend of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in 2014 and in 2018 Legend of the Vine. She is a founding board member of Australian Women In Wine and is the co-deputy chair of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards and China’s Wine List of the Year Awards.

Wine writer and critic