Notes from Cape Mentelle's Vineyard

Cape Mentelle’s Estate Vineyard was planted in 1970 and 1972 on a ridge of free draining lateritic gravel, loved by Cabernet Sauvignon vines, between the township of Margaret River and the rugged south western coastline.

For over 30 years the best parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon have been carefully managed to produce grapes with full concentrated flavour and a firm yet fine tannin profile. The Cabernet grapes are hand harvested and sorted to ensure the best possible expression of fruit character and structure each year.

Notes from Cape Mentelle's Winemakers

After hand harvesting and sorting, destemming and light crushing, individual vineyard batches of Cabernet Sauvignon were fermented on skins for 25-30 days. At the desired balance of fruit and tannin extraction, each batch of Cabernet was gently basket pressed, with harder pressings kept aside.

The individual Cabernet Sauvignon parcels were racked to oak following pressing for malolactic fermentation. Regular rackings over an 18 month period ensured the individual wines were at their best prior to blending. The Cabernet wines were matured in selected Bordeaux coopered barriques of which 40% were new with the balance being one year old.