Cape Mentelle
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Margaret River, South West Australia, Western Australia, Australia
My last 2007 Mentelle Cabernet - last of the old white label. Very dense in colour - a dark Ruby. Cassis and blackcurrant. See previous Delectable notes. Not overly herbal like most Margaret Cabernets. Cedar and black olive notes as well. Amazing vitality and concentration for 16 years - in hindsight could have left it for longer. A ripe powerful Cabernet - more like a South Australian Cabernet in structure and fruit ripeness. An excellent vintage in Marg River which hardly ever has a bad one…..2006 comes to mind. Wish I had consumed this when 20 years of age. PS. Nick Stock said one of the greatest Cape Mentelles of all time. Only 800 cases made.
My last 2007 Mentelle Cabernet - last of the old white label. Very dense in colour - a dark Ruby. Cassis and blackcurrant. See previous Delectable notes. Not overly herbal like most Margaret Cabernets. Cedar and black olive notes as well. Amazing vitality and concentration for 16 years - in hindsight could have left it for longer. A ripe powerful Cabernet - more like a South Australian Cabernet in structure and fruit ripeness. An excellent vintage in Marg River which hardly ever has a bad one…..2006 comes to mind. Wish I had consumed this when 20 years of age. PS. Nick Stock said one of the greatest Cape Mentelles of all time. Only 800 cases made.
Oct 21st, 2023See 3 previous Delectable notes. A brilliant Cabernet from an excellent producer, and a great vintage in Margaret River. Cassis, black currant and dried herbs on nose and palate. The complete package, great balance, and going strong at 15 years. Still powerful and tasting youthful. Manages to be ripe and elegant at the same time. Not sure how long I will leave drinking the last bottle. Hard to beat right now.
See 3 previous Delectable notes. A brilliant Cabernet from an excellent producer, and a great vintage in Margaret River. Cassis, black currant and dried herbs on nose and palate. The complete package, great balance, and going strong at 15 years. Still powerful and tasting youthful. Manages to be ripe and elegant at the same time. Not sure how long I will leave drinking the last bottle. Hard to beat right now.
Sep 9th, 2022Similar to the note I made a year ago in August 2020. Aromas of dried herbs, bay leaf, tomato bush with a woody note (not Oak) which we identified as Walnut similar to the previous note. This Cabernet is slightly different to the northern Margaret River (Wilyabrup) Cabernets like Woodlands and Moss Wood. On the Medium plus bodied palate red and black fruits with currants and mulberries. This was from a good vintage and is currently in a great place. Enjoy a bottle if you have any. POSTSCRIPT: A note by James Halliday from the Cape Mentelle International Cabernet Tasting in 2010 , for the 2007 vintage - “the trio of Cape Mentelle, Moss Wood and Woodlands pushed Leoville Las Cases and Chateau Margaux out of contention. “ Admittedly 2007 was not a great year in Bordeaux.
Similar to the note I made a year ago in August 2020. Aromas of dried herbs, bay leaf, tomato bush with a woody note (not Oak) which we identified as Walnut similar to the previous note. This Cabernet is slightly different to the northern Margaret River (Wilyabrup) Cabernets like Woodlands and Moss Wood. On the Medium plus bodied palate red and black fruits with currants and mulberries. This was from a good vintage and is currently in a great place. Enjoy a bottle if you have any. POSTSCRIPT: A note by James Halliday from the Cape Mentelle International Cabernet Tasting in 2010 , for the 2007 vintage - “the trio of Cape Mentelle, Moss Wood and Woodlands pushed Leoville Las Cases and Chateau Margaux out of contention. “ Admittedly 2007 was not a great year in Bordeaux.
Aug 20th, 2021Herbaceous, mint, stalks, with a walnut note together with red florals as in roses verging to a violet note. The medium weight palate shows sweet berry and cassis - just enough opulence to carry the savoury notes. Resolved tannins. Drinking at its peak at 13 years of age although could sit on the plateau for 5 plus years. An excellent example of aged Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) from a great producer.
Herbaceous, mint, stalks, with a walnut note together with red florals as in roses verging to a violet note. The medium weight palate shows sweet berry and cassis - just enough opulence to carry the savoury notes. Resolved tannins. Drinking at its peak at 13 years of age although could sit on the plateau for 5 plus years. An excellent example of aged Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) from a great producer.
Aug 2nd, 2020All the typical Margaret River Cabernet descriptors - Herbaceous, tomato bush, leafy. Initially a vanilla oak component which lessened. Medium weight with medium tannins. A touch more mid palate fruit for a gold medal.
All the typical Margaret River Cabernet descriptors - Herbaceous, tomato bush, leafy. Initially a vanilla oak component which lessened. Medium weight with medium tannins. A touch more mid palate fruit for a gold medal.
Nov 23rd, 2016Had to try this 2007 vintage after Scuds tasting note on the 2012. This one is definitely built for the long haul. Typically good Marg River Cab. Still prefer the Wilyabrup sub region. 17
Had to try this 2007 vintage after Scuds tasting note on the 2012. This one is definitely built for the long haul. Typically good Marg River Cab. Still prefer the Wilyabrup sub region. 17
Sep 21st, 2014Brilliant Cabernet. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Brilliant Cabernet. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Apr 16th, 2016