Cape Mentelle Shiraz 2022

Cabernet may well be king of the red grapes in Margaret River but we continue to see superb examples of what Shiraz can offer when done well here. And very few do it as well as CM. Fourteen months maturing in barrel, which included 27% new French and Hungarian oak. A dark magenta colour, the nose exhibits notes of black fruits, dried herbs, hints of dark chocolate, roast meats and tobacco leaves. This is a beautifully refined style of Shiraz, with a nod to the savoury end of the spectrum. Showing very fine tannins and excellent length, it is a million miles from what we expect from Shiraz from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale – worth celebrating the differences. A good seven to twelve years ahead of it.