Cape Mentelle HH (Icon) Chardonnay 2020
- 96
- $150
- Drink by: 2023-2033
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In recent years, Cape Mentelle has elevated itself from an iconic red producer with impressive whites to one of this country’s leading wineries, red and white. The Chardonnays especially, have gone to new levels. They sit with the nation’s best. 74% from the Chapman vineyard, the remainder from the Crossroads. 100% gingin clone. 100% whole bunch pressed, barrel fermented and matured in French oak, for a period of ten months. A pale lemon hue, appropriate as the nose offers lovely lemony notes. A crème brulée character with lemon meringue hints and oak is immaculately integrated. Fragrant, most appealing, the wine is exquisitely balanced and the finish lingers beautifully. A very high quality Chardonnay, representative of CM’s elevated status as a producer of this variety. It also provides yet more compelling evidence of what a brilliant region the Margaret River is for this great white grape. Enjoy over the next six to ten 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.
