As a pioneer of Western Australia's Margaret River wine region, Cape Mentelle consistently produce one of Australia's leading Chardonnays. The 2020 Cape Mentelle Chardonnay is another stunning rendition; delivering a powerful, intensely flavoured and perfectly balanced Margaret River Chardonnay.
Built around the classic local Margaret River Gingin clone, the 2020 Cape Mentelle Chardonnay is a multilayered and complex Chardonnay drawing upon an additional array of clones and multiple microclimates within Cape Mentelle's sites. A product of a drier and warmer vintage, this is a generously weighted Chardonnay with great presence; offering lemon curd, yellow peach tart, almond flakes and pink grapefruits notes, finishing with the texture and complexity that are hallmarks of Cape Mentelle.
"95 Points. Again, a blend of fruit sourced from the Crossroads and Chapman vineyards, the grapes are whole bunch pressed before fermentation in barrel. Maturation is in oak for ten months before transfer to tank for a further eight with lees stirring every second month. Green/gold in colour, the nose shows complexity – we have nuts, minerals, oatmeal and stonefruit. There is excellent oak integration underway and a taut structure. Balance and intensity is key, with good bright acidity running the length leading to a finish that persists impressively. The palate offers notes of stonefruit, a touch of honeycomb and apricot kernels. Overall, a richly flavoured Chardonnay that will offer pleasure over the next eight to twelve years. $60. Drink: 2023 - 2035"- Ken Gargett, winepilot.com.
"2020 was a ripe vintage, and it leads to this ripe, voluminous, almost tropical chardonnay. Rich and full bodied, glossy (as is the style of the CM chardonnay) and streamlined. A big wine, a smart wine. Opulent. 93 Points. $55. 15% alc. Screw cap"- Erin Larkin, winecompanion.com.au.
