'Cape Mentelle’s newie, the 2014 cabernet sauvignon, is I believe among the best that esteemed winery has ever made… a young wine just setting out what will be a long career.'
98 points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review.
‘Blackberry and blueberry aromas with wet earth and bark. Sandalwood undertones. Full body, velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Very agile at the same time. Energy. What a wine for the cellar.’
96 points - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
'Another excellent wine with neatly compact flavours and definition. Beautiful tannin structure, the palate silky and refined, the cassis, the oak, the spices all dutifully playing their part.' 96 points, James Halliday.
Margaret River
Located three hours south of Perth, Margaret River is Western Australia’s most prestigious wine-growing region. Serious vineyard development began only in the late 1960’s following the publication of a report by John Gladstones in 1965 stating that the area had a similar climate to Pomerol or St Emilion, with low frost risk, plenty of sunshine and equable temperatures within the growing season promoting even ripening. Margaret River’s climate is warm and maritime, with some cooling influence provided by southeast trade winds. The soils derive from granitic and a gneissic rock over which laterite has formed. The region can be divided in three sub-regions: the cooler south between Yallingup and Karridale with predominantly lateritic gravelly loamy sands and sandy loams; the warm and sunnier Willyabrup in the centre with predominantly gravelly loams, but some gritty sandy loams and granitic gravels; and Margaret River in the north with similar soils, but slightly cooler temperatures. This is entirely consistent with style; the wines from Willyabrup being more generous than the highly structured wines of the north and the elegant styles of the south. Margaret River is best known for high quality Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends and top notch Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends. Over the years, the region has established an astonishing reputation illustrating a consistency in quality and a strongly focused winemaking culture.