Cape Mentelle Shiraz 2018, Margaret River

Cape Mentelle is one of Margaret River’s ‘founding five’ wineries. 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. Expect a complex and structured wine with layers of violets, dark forest fruits and wild cherries. Intense savoury notes of tobacco, leather and spice mean this wine matches well with simple grilled meats or rich vegetable-laden stews.