Cape Mentelle Marmaduke Shiraz 2023
- 92
- $22
- Drink by: 2025-2035
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From the wonderful 2023 vintage in Margaret River, the colour is a rather muddled red/purple at this early stage. The wine is ripe, soft and generous with a fine line of acidity. On the nose, we have notes of plums, black fruits, coffee grinds, bay leaves and aniseed. It finishes with sleek tannins, everything in balance. Drink now certainly, but it will be good for at least the next six to ten years. Longer if necessary.
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.
