96 Points – Ken Gargett

As a pioneer of Western Australia’s Margaret River wine region, Cape Mentelle consistently produce one of Australia’s leading Chardonnays. The 2021 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 2021 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.  

“96 Points. 2021 is proving to be an excellent vintage in the Margaret River region, but one needs a long memory to recall when they were not blessed with fine conditions. The fruit is sourced from the Crossroads and Chapman vineyards, mostly the gingin clone. Whole bunch pressed and fermented in barrels, maturation is in French oak (88%) and tank (12%) for ten months, before transferring all the finished wines to tank for a further five months with monthly lees stirring. A gleaming pale gold and such an alluring nose. The complexity is immediately evident  with wonderful floral notes, stonefruits and vanillin oak, all finely integrated. Tropical notes emerge more on the palate than with the aroma. Balanced, finesse and exceptional length are very much the hallmarks of this stunning Chardonnay. Drink over the next eight to ten years with ease. $60. Drink: 2023 – 2033”- Ken Gargett, winepilot.com