2018 Cape Mentelle Shiraz Cabernet, Margaret River, Australia
Decanter World Wine Awards, 2022 - Silver Medal, 92 Points
Tasting Notes
Smoky and toasty on the nose, dense black fruits on the palate with sweet spices. The purity of the fruit is excellent. It’s juicy, full-flavored, ripe, and exciting. Great value
Appearance
Deep dark cherry with intense red edges.
Nose
The aromatics are nuanced and complex; dark black forest berry fruit, sweet paprika, and toasted cinnamon overlay intense smoked charcuterie. Finer nuances of cocoa powder, umami, and roasted lamb entwined with leather and tobacco undertones combined with sage and spearmint notes.
Palate
The palate is rich and powerful displaying plum, cranberry, and ripe black forest berry fruits of boysenberry and blackcurrant overlaying cured charcuterie and roasted coffee bean. Oak tones of vanilla pod, roasted walnut, and mocha interlace with toffee and molasses notes. The tannins are elegant and round with great volume.
Food Pairing
The savory complexity of this wine matches with provencal herbs, thus pairing superbly with roasted spring lamb dressed with rosemary, accompanied with baked pumpkin. A richly spiced tofu and vegetable curry served with buttery roti bread complements the dark spice and earth tones of this wine.
Vineyard
The fruit comes from our Wallcliffe (48 years old), Trinders (30 years old), and Crossroads (15 years old) vineyards. The typical soils of these vineyards are geologically ancient, free-draining sandy loams with a high percentage of lateritic gravel. Meticulously careful hand work on the canopy ensured perfect exposition for the fruit, which in 2018, allowed ultra-fine tannin development, at modest ripeness levels with beautifully balanced acids.
The Season
Replenishing winter rains recharged our vineyard sites leading to calm weather for fruit sets that gave well-balanced crops on the vines. Mild in nature, 2018 was warmer than 2017 allowing fruit to ripen earlier and very evenly with very low disease pressure, and due to a healthy Marri tree blossoming event, very little bird pressure. An Indian summer, with no heat spike events, allowed for ideal physiological development conditions and the potential for a classic vintage.
Winemaking
The fruit is destemmed from 70% to 100% (up to 30% whole cluster inclusion) and lightly crushed to a combination of open and closed top fermenters. The ferments proceed with either wild or selected yeasts and operations are decided day by day without recipe to optimize potential and complexity. Post fermentation macerations can be long allowing seamless tannin development before light basket pressing. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barriques (5% new) and the wine is aged on lees (fermentation solids) for 16 months; and then blended and bottled with minimal filtration and sulfur addition.
Cellaring
Ready for enjoyment in its youth, this wine can also be cellared for up to 10 years.
At Cape Mentelle we draw inspiration from the great wines of the world. This is reflected in the techniques employed in our vineyards as we aim to produce wines that capture a unique sense of place in every bottle. These characteristics are defined by our pristine coastal location, unique soils, and 50 years of viticultural history.
Our philosophy extends beyond the glass as we endeavor to create a legacy of sustainability and longevity. Constantly improving the potential of our vineyards and local environments, we pave the way for the next generation to continue the pursuit of crafting Australia’s definitive wine styles and while doing so we are preserving and building on what is uniquely Cape Mentelle.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Labrat Reporting for (belated) duty!
So happy that I was able to make this week work, after the snafu with last week’s rat showing up after the offer ended.
Cape Mentelle, Margaret River, Shiraz Cabernet 2018
I noted that it was sourced from Australia, and decently aged at 2018 vintage. The bottle has a screw cap.
The wine is a nice medium ruby color, clear, and no bricking.
On pop and pour, some black fruit and bramble, but a bit tight with tannins. After about 10 minutes in the glass, it opens up, and some additional flavors come out - definitely an australian shiraz, with the bramble and leather. The wine was tasted in both a “regular” Bordeaux glass as well as a Hermitage. As expected, wife and I each preferred in different glasses… I prefer the differences in wines that generally use the hermitage glass - syrah, malbec, grenache - whereas Michelle preferred the wine in the Bordeaux glass, typically used for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, and more generally, Bordeaux blends. It was toss up, given the 60% shiraz / 40% cab sauv blend, and I thought it’d be fun to try in both glasses.
In the hermitage glass, the spiciness of black pepper comes through, while in the Bordeaux there are more green vegetative notes. I am always so impressed with how the same wine can taste so different based on the glass shape.
It has a long finish with good acidity. It did well with the beef tacos we had for dinner, more depth coming forward and the acidity allowing it to cut through the fattiness in the beef. There is a substantial tannin backbone though, and the interplay between the tannins and acidity was unexpectedly enjoyable.
Surprisingly, the alcohol was more pronounced after 20 minutes in the glass, though not overpowering. It did make me check the label, and it shows a robust 14.8% ABV.
Michelle seems to be starting to come down with something, and unfortunately the 12 year old hasn’t been in school the last couple days due to illness, so no particularly helpful notes from her. The 15 year old said “It’s not bad. I like it. It’s not very strong and not watery” which seems to mean that she find it’s a medium to full body and has a robust flavor profile. She doesn’t prefer lighter body wines. her overall take was “Not her favorite, but I’d drink a glass”, which is fairly high praise from her nascent palate.
Overall, it’s a nice slightly aged wine. I don’t know that it will hold for another 10 years, but in the next few, seems like it will maintain it’s profile. I wouldn’t expect it to be above $20 per bottle. ETA Nice to see it under $13, which is good QPR.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2018 Cape Mentelle Australian Shiraz Cabernet - $25 = 16.66%
2018 Cape Mentelle, Margaret River
60% Shiraz, 40% Cab Sauvignon
After a rat bottle that arrived late last week, success this week. I must mention that it arrived when the temps were 4 degrees and was a little slushy.
I had eye surgery earlier this week so reading/paperwork/phone/computer are extremely difficult. This will be short and to the point.
I let the wine thaw on the counter overnight. Bottle is screwtop. Upon opening, dark ruby in the glass, red fruits and barnyard on the nose. Swirl, swirl. Took a small sip. Tight and unforgiving. This needs air. Decanted the wine for 2-3 hours.
Poured in a Grassl Liberte. Swirl, swirl. Red fruits still wafting; sour cherry, cranberry, raspberry. Barnyard is overpowering. On the palate this features the same red fruits. Oak is prominent. Can feel the heat. Touch of spice, hint of salinity, and long finish. Poured back into the bottle and let rest on the counter overnight.
Day two, took one for the team and poured a small glass this morning; Grassl 1855. Fruits are more evident, maybe a hint of smokiness and a touch of floral. Barnyard has blown off. On the palate, my mouth is salivating from the punch of cranberry and raspberry. Juicy red fruits, spice, that touch of salinity is still peeking, oak is prominent, tannins are less pronounced, not much acid. Much better on day two.
Price here seems spot on. This is crowd pleaser and would be a hit with friends for a casual Saturday night BBQ. This is young. Wine would benefit with some age and may endure the long run, but I personally would drink within the next five years. Decant, decant. Air is your friend. Full disclosure, I drink a lot of aged Bordeaux, Italian, and Champagne.
Big thank you to the WCC team, Alice in getting another rat bottle out, and Cape Mentelle.
Happy Saturday, still chilly in the Lowcountry but it’s delightful sunshine and I’m a couple of pulls in, so life is good…(who cares right? Well my pup loves the sun so she cares and y’all just love pro reviews…so…)
Decanter as mentioned above, notes a Stelvin closure and says:
92 points. Silver Medal. Smoky and toasty on the nose, dense black fruits on the palate with sweet spices. The purity of fruit is excellent. It’s juicy full flavored ripe and exciting. Great value. 4/22
Enthusiast did a swirl, not as enthusiastic:
87 points. This Shiraz-Cab blend, from one of Margaret River’s long-standing wineries, is dense and dusty, with notes of sour cherry, raspberry, licorice and savory spice, and a quite prominent curtain of cola flavored oak. The moderate, maritime climate can be felt on the palate, where a freshness lifts the tart red berry fruit. But again the oak distracts in the form of astringent tannins, drying out the mouth and making for austere and rather difficult drinking. — Christina Pickard 12/1/22
Looks like Vinous sipped on as well…(although they note a 60/40 blend)
92 points. Inky ruby. A wild, expressive bouquet evokes dark fruit preserves, olive, pungent flowers and cracked pepper, plus a suggestion of smoked meat. Smooth and energetic on the palate, offering bitter cherry, cassis and licorice flavors that take on a floral quality with air. Closes smooth, long and smoky, with dusty tannins lending final grip. Josh Raynolds Drinking window: 2024 - 2031
9/22
…time for one more coffee…
edit…I see rats and the label note the 60/40 blend as well…the winery did do a 2018 Trinders Shiraz Cab that heck might be the same wine, the winery spec sheets are identical for both wines and the prices are the same, but both note the inclusion of the Merlot and Zinfandel
2018 Cape Mentelle Shiraz Cabernet, Margaret River, Australia
Decanter World Wine Awards, 2022 - Silver Medal, 92 Points
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Nose
Palate
Food Pairing
Vineyard
The Season
Winemaking
Cellaring
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $372/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Mar 17 - Wednesday, Mar 19
2018 Cape Mentelle Australian Shiraz Cabernet
6 bottles for $74.99 $12.50/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $124.99 $10.42/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Labrat Reporting for (belated) duty!
So happy that I was able to make this week work, after the snafu with last week’s rat showing up after the offer ended.
Cape Mentelle, Margaret River, Shiraz Cabernet 2018
I noted that it was sourced from Australia, and decently aged at 2018 vintage. The bottle has a screw cap.
The wine is a nice medium ruby color, clear, and no bricking.
On pop and pour, some black fruit and bramble, but a bit tight with tannins. After about 10 minutes in the glass, it opens up, and some additional flavors come out - definitely an australian shiraz, with the bramble and leather. The wine was tasted in both a “regular” Bordeaux glass as well as a Hermitage. As expected, wife and I each preferred in different glasses… I prefer the differences in wines that generally use the hermitage glass - syrah, malbec, grenache - whereas Michelle preferred the wine in the Bordeaux glass, typically used for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, and more generally, Bordeaux blends. It was toss up, given the 60% shiraz / 40% cab sauv blend, and I thought it’d be fun to try in both glasses.
In the hermitage glass, the spiciness of black pepper comes through, while in the Bordeaux there are more green vegetative notes. I am always so impressed with how the same wine can taste so different based on the glass shape.
It has a long finish with good acidity. It did well with the beef tacos we had for dinner, more depth coming forward and the acidity allowing it to cut through the fattiness in the beef. There is a substantial tannin backbone though, and the interplay between the tannins and acidity was unexpectedly enjoyable.
Surprisingly, the alcohol was more pronounced after 20 minutes in the glass, though not overpowering. It did make me check the label, and it shows a robust 14.8% ABV.
Michelle seems to be starting to come down with something, and unfortunately the 12 year old hasn’t been in school the last couple days due to illness, so no particularly helpful notes from her. The 15 year old said “It’s not bad. I like it. It’s not very strong and not watery” which seems to mean that she find it’s a medium to full body and has a robust flavor profile. She doesn’t prefer lighter body wines. her overall take was “Not her favorite, but I’d drink a glass”, which is fairly high praise from her nascent palate.
Overall, it’s a nice slightly aged wine. I don’t know that it will hold for another 10 years, but in the next few, seems like it will maintain it’s profile. I wouldn’t expect it to be above $20 per bottle. ETA Nice to see it under $13, which is good QPR.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2018 Cape Mentelle Australian Shiraz Cabernet - $25 = 16.66%
2018 Cape Mentelle, Margaret River
60% Shiraz, 40% Cab Sauvignon
After a rat bottle that arrived late last week, success this week. I must mention that it arrived when the temps were 4 degrees and was a little slushy.
I had eye surgery earlier this week so reading/paperwork/phone/computer are extremely difficult. This will be short and to the point.
I let the wine thaw on the counter overnight. Bottle is screwtop. Upon opening, dark ruby in the glass, red fruits and barnyard on the nose. Swirl, swirl. Took a small sip. Tight and unforgiving. This needs air. Decanted the wine for 2-3 hours.
Poured in a Grassl Liberte. Swirl, swirl. Red fruits still wafting; sour cherry, cranberry, raspberry. Barnyard is overpowering. On the palate this features the same red fruits. Oak is prominent. Can feel the heat. Touch of spice, hint of salinity, and long finish. Poured back into the bottle and let rest on the counter overnight.
Day two, took one for the team and poured a small glass this morning; Grassl 1855. Fruits are more evident, maybe a hint of smokiness and a touch of floral. Barnyard has blown off. On the palate, my mouth is salivating from the punch of cranberry and raspberry. Juicy red fruits, spice, that touch of salinity is still peeking, oak is prominent, tannins are less pronounced, not much acid. Much better on day two.
Price here seems spot on. This is crowd pleaser and would be a hit with friends for a casual Saturday night BBQ. This is young. Wine would benefit with some age and may endure the long run, but I personally would drink within the next five years. Decant, decant. Air is your friend. Full disclosure, I drink a lot of aged Bordeaux, Italian, and Champagne.
Big thank you to the WCC team, Alice in getting another rat bottle out, and Cape Mentelle.
@chefjess Your eyesight may be compromised at the moment but I’d say otherwise your sensory perception is doing quite well!
Happy Saturday, still chilly in the Lowcountry but it’s delightful sunshine and I’m a couple of pulls in, so life is good…(who cares right? Well my pup loves the sun so she cares and y’all just love pro reviews…so…)
Decanter as mentioned above, notes a Stelvin closure and says:
92 points. Silver Medal. Smoky and toasty on the nose, dense black fruits on the palate with sweet spices. The purity of fruit is excellent. It’s juicy full flavored ripe and exciting. Great value. 4/22
Enthusiast did a swirl, not as enthusiastic:
87 points. This Shiraz-Cab blend, from one of Margaret River’s long-standing wineries, is dense and dusty, with notes of sour cherry, raspberry, licorice and savory spice, and a quite prominent curtain of cola flavored oak. The moderate, maritime climate can be felt on the palate, where a freshness lifts the tart red berry fruit. But again the oak distracts in the form of astringent tannins, drying out the mouth and making for austere and rather difficult drinking. — Christina Pickard 12/1/22
Looks like Vinous sipped on as well…(although they note a 60/40 blend)
92 points. Inky ruby. A wild, expressive bouquet evokes dark fruit preserves, olive, pungent flowers and cracked pepper, plus a suggestion of smoked meat. Smooth and energetic on the palate, offering bitter cherry, cassis and licorice flavors that take on a floral quality with air. Closes smooth, long and smoky, with dusty tannins lending final grip. Josh Raynolds Drinking window: 2024 - 2031
9/22
…time for one more coffee…
edit…I see rats and the label note the 60/40 blend as well…the winery did do a 2018 Trinders Shiraz Cab that heck might be the same wine, the winery spec sheets are identical for both wines and the prices are the same, but both note the inclusion of the Merlot and Zinfandel
fwiw
