Home > Cape Mentelle HH (Icon) Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Cape Mentelle HH (Icon) Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

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What a seriously stunning wine. This provides compelling evidence of both what a magnificent region the Margaret River is for Cabernet, and how impressive the Cabs from Cape Mentelle are. Of course, they have been just that for many years, but I wonder if they are now at levels exceeding all that came before. From their Trinders and Wallcliffe vineyards, the final blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot. Maturation was for 18 months with 45% new oak. A deep, dark garnet colour, with cassis the immediate impression on the nose. We have black fruits, dark chocolate, cold tea, spices, soy, dry herbs and black olives. A seductive texture, seamless, with a line of acidity running the length supported by very fine tannins and such impressive length. Drinking beautifully already, though it is still very young, it can be enjoyed any time over the next decade or two.

Ken Gargett

Contributor at Winepilot

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.

Wine writer and critic