Cape Mentelle Heritage Chardonnay 2023
- 97
- $150
- Drink by: 2025-2037
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The vineyards supplying the fruit for this stunning Margaret River Chardonnay are the Crossroads and Chapman Brook vineyards, located in the south of the region. This really is a bit special and sits comfortably with the top offerings from here. Or indeed, anywhere in Australia. 100% Gin Gin clone, after a wild ferment, the final wine was a barrel selection following ten months maturation in French oak, 43% of which was new. A lemon straw hue, there is serious intensity here with notes of lemon curd, oyster shell, peaches, tropical characters, florals, some flint and a minerally backing. The oak is so well integrated that it is merely one more aspect of this brilliant Chardy and part of a seamless overall impression. There is a juicy palate, where the flavours simply explode into life, while complex, concentrated, offering serious length and endless flavours. Love it. A wine which will provide enormous pleasure for the next ten to twelve 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.
