A modern great, but a proudly individual style apparently made with as much deference to the top cabernets of California as those from Bordeaux. Something of a paradox because it is a rich, powerful wine yet is still able to reveal delicacy and complexity with age. A benchmark Margaret River style.Jeremy OliverCape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon – a single vineyard wine – enjoyed impressive beginnings, with the highly prized Melbourne Wine Show Jimmy Watson Trophies for both the 1982 and 1983 vintages. The Walcliffe Vineyard, planted by founder David Hohnen between 1970 and 1973, is located in the cooler southern sub-region of Margaret River. The vines – essentially dry grown – are anchored in gravel laterite soils derived from decomposed ironstone over gravel/clay subsoils. After fermentation it is matured for around 21 months in a combination of new (30%) and of French oak barrels from Nevers, Alliers and Troncais. This marvelously concentrated but muscular Margaret River Cabernet is a benchmark style with cedar/mocha/blackcurrant fruit characters and chocolaty/sinewy tannin structure. A top notch Margaret River Cabernet. Andrew Caillard MW
