2017 - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cape Mentelle, Margaret River

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon from Cape Mentelle continues the long history of fine age-worthy wines from this esteemed winemaker. It is robust and powerful with deep blackberry and blackcurrant fruit aromas showing chocolatey richness and graphite complexity all wrapped up by a rich vein of new oak. Great density on the palate follows thanks to a deep core of dark fruits with firm muscular tannins powering a long, vigorous finish. This will age magnificently with its best years far ahead into the future.

A bit leaner and leafier than the 2016, Cape Mentelle's 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon shows more of the region's characteristic herbal shadings of sage and bay leaf. The winery's trademark cedary oak overlays cassis and raspberry notes in this streamlined, smooth-textured, medium to full-bodied effort. The tannins are polished but firm, suggesting a couple of years in the cellar wouldn't be unwarranted.

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in barrel. Cool, late vintage. Quite wet so viticulture was important. Winemaker Frédérique Perrin would apparently have been involved with this wine. Dense colour, already reddish, with some shading. Not much nose. Non classic. Quite a sweet start and then some green quality. Medicinal. Chile? German-sausage flavour! (JR)