- Margaret River, WA - $18-$29
- Screwcap
- 13.0%alc
Okay, it seems everyone's had their say on Cape Mentelle's new labels, so here's my two cents worth; I liked the old labels. I always liked the old labels, but the new labels, which can look surprisingly sophisticated in person, are starting to grow on me. That's it. Now onto the wine.
Cape Mentelle's 2010 SBS (54/46) immediately unloads a strong aroma loaded with ample character and definition, but its most pleasing attribute may be a vivid sense of distinct regionality. Its pungent scents of green pea, guava and lemon/lime citrus rise from the glass in expressive fashion, while funked-up hints of sweat and light, airy smoke string the nose together to form a fragrance with as much character as any Cape Mentelle SBS I can recall. A well controlled punch of juicy fruit announces the palate, which moves forward with a wonderfully smooth, even flow of sweaty tropical fruit flavour that is just so devilishly Western Australian. The sweaty, more savoury aspects push on with touches of smoky and mineral complexity, carrying the wine to a cleansing, classically brisk finish helped along by a balancing framework of lively acids.
ü+ For me, Cape Mentelle's 2010 is right on the style button. It beautifully expresses elements of sauvignon blanc, semillon and desirable barrel ferment notes (15%) in a harmonised, truly regional and character laden manner. Well worth the twenty. Drink to 2013.
92 points
Hi, I've been enjoying reading your stuff. Would you ever write about Smidge?
ReplyDeletegood review Chris, want to try it now :)
ReplyDeleteLee,
ReplyDeleteThanks. :) I certainly would write about Smidge (I assume you're talking about Matt Wenk's project?), I just haven't got around to buying any of their wines yet. Any recommendations within their range would be much appreciated.
Andy,
For all its shape, structure, refinement and zingy drive, I don't usually consider Cape Mentelle's to be one of my favourite Margaret River sav/sems. I usually prefer the wines which I feel have a bit more flavour/aroma character, such as Cullen's, Voyager's or Vasse's, but the 2010 Cape Mentelle certainly jumped up into my style :)
It's only made me keener to try the 2010 outings from the wineries I've just mentioned. ;)
Cheers,
Chris P
I tried the 10 Vasse, Voyager and CM all together. All pretty good. Much of a muchness. The Vasse was the most overt, snapped pea/tomato plant, sort of wine from memory. The Voyager maybe the 'calmest'
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip Anon. I've been loving the Vasse recently for its intensity, so I'll probably put that one top of the list :)
ReplyDeleteIt was me. I forgot to initial.
ReplyDeleteGW
Well, in that case, I'll definitely put the Vasse top of the list :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have seen a 2010 Cullen SBS floating around locally already....
Yes. I have the 10 Cullens here. Came in a few weeks ago with 09 Mangan.
ReplyDeleteGW
Now you're making me jealous :)
ReplyDeleteMy best mate's off to the Margaret River in a couple of weeks and the 09 Mangan heads my shopping list. Fingers crossed he comes back to Adelaide with the right wine....
Tried 09 Mangan last night. It's a bloody beauty.
ReplyDeleteGW
Excellent!
ReplyDelete