Cape Mentelle Shiraz Icon 2018

From a mix of vineyards – Trinders, Crossroads and Chapman – the wine has 2% Viognier included, which was co-fermented. It also includes 14% 2019 material (perfectly legal, of course, and designed to add complexity and freshness). Native yeasts used too. Maturation was for a total of 19 months, in 86% French oak and 14% Hungarian, 71% was new. This is a powerful, concentrated wine. Inky dark maroon in colour, we have notes of dark chocolate, beefstock, smoky black fruits, most especially black currants. Finely focused, the finish exhibits tannins, lots of them, but silky. Really good length here too with notes of roast meats on the palate. Give it five years and then revel in a cracking Marg River Shiraz for the following ten to fifteen years.