Cape Mentelle Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
- 96
- $110
- Drink by: 2024-2044
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The descendent, for want of a better term, of the very wine that did so much to put Margaret River on the map for wine lovers, when the legendary 1982, and the even more impressive 1983, both won the Jimmy Watson trophy. Four decades later and this wine is still a leading light for the district, even if now termed the ‘Heritage’. Under cork. 2% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc with eighteen months maturing in French barriques. An opaque maroon, this is still very young and even a little closed off at this stage, but undoubtedly a beautiful Margaret River Cabernet. It is concentrated and focused, with notes of blackfruits, cassis, cigar boxes, chocolate, dried herbs and licorice. A juicy palate with utterly sumptuous flavours, the wine has balance and length with fine tannins before lingering with intensity. A superb Cabernet with fifteen to twenty years ahead.
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.
