Cape Mentelle Heritage Shiraz 2022

It is perfectly permissible to feel just a little bit sorry for Margaret River Shiraz, always in the shadows of its more famous (at least in this region) and revered sibling, Cab Sauv. It is worth focusing on the style as there are some cracking wines, usually offering good value, thanks to that shadow. This example, from three different sites in the region, spent a year and a half maturing in French oak, 42% new. What is rather interesting is that Shiraz is the only variety which is planted at all of the Cape Mentelle vineyard sites. An opaque maroon, the wine offers aromas of aniseed, sage, herbs, mulberries, cloves, soy, black fruits, graphite and tobacco leaves. There is an enticingly slippery texture here with sleek tannins, good focus, elegance, refinement and serious length. Well structured, the wine has ten to twelve years, at the very least, of pleasure ahead. There really is a lot to like here.