Cape Mentelle Shiraz

• Vintage: 2017
  
• Origin: Margaret River, Australia
  
• Taste guide: Deep dark magenta with garnet edges. The aromatics are floral and spicy; wild black cherry, violets and lavender with orange marmalade and intense smoked peppercorns. Finer nuances of cardamom and cocoa nib entwine with leather and oriental spices with undertones of briar and savoury licorice notes. The palate is rich and juicy displaying satsuma plum and ripe black forest berry fruits of mulberry and blackberry overlaying cured charcuterie and smoked pink peppercorn. Oak notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, licorice and clove interlace with red mineral earthy notes, hints of orange peel and cedar bark. The tannins are chewy, yet silky with great texture and detail.
• Food match: this wine matches well with simple grilled meats or rich vegetable-laden stews.
• 75cl - 14.5% - Screwcap opening

The winery gets its name from a nearby Cape that was given that title by the French "Baudin Expedition," which mapped Western Australia's coast in 1801. The Cape was given the names of two prominent French scientists who resided in Paris in the early 1700s: geographer Edmund with his brother Francois-Simon Mentelle.

One of Margaret River’s 'founding five' wineries with a benchmark for quality, they're celebrated for having pioneered many of this Western Australian wine region's renowned styles. Despite other grape varieties often taking the limelight, Shiraz really flourishes here. A cooler coastal influence results in a more restrained style than the bold-and-jammy Shiraz of Barossa and Mclaren Vale. In a nod towards the traditional Syrah blends of the Rhône Valley's Côte-Rôtie, winemaker Eloise Jarvis blends her red Shiraz grapes with white Viognier to dial up the complexity. Viognier is rich and aromatic, so adding it to a blend brings freshness, softens tannins, and enhances any fruity and floral notes. Côte-Rôtie wines usually come with lofty prices, but this Cape Mentelle favourite means you can enjoy the style at a fraction of the cost.

Just £19.99 here, this wine sells elsewhere for anywhere between £23.50 and £28.60 (checked Dec ‘23)… superb value from Bin Ends again.