Cape Mentelle Rose 2019
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James
Suckling
Product Details
Winemaker Notes
A brilliant light salmon pink. This wine seduces with red summer fruits of fresh strawberry, watermelon and rose petal overlain with hints of honeysuckle, cucumber and red apple skin. The nose is vivacious and lively, displaying lemon blossom and lime zest with a core of bright minerality. The palate characteristics burst forth with pink and red fruits; watermelon, raspberries and wild strawberries, with hints of cranberry. It has medium weight with a juicy yet creamy balance of red rose petal with a green lime zest finish. Hints of salinity and minerality highlight the maritime influence of the nearby ocean.
The winemakers recommend that the freshness of the wine is well paired with a fresh watermelon, spearmint and feta salad; melon wrapped in prosciuitto, salmon quiche or a simple hunk of Comte cheese with thin slices of jamón.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Bright aromas of strawberries and watermelon here with a soft, gently sweet finish and bright, crunchy acidity. A blend of 58% shiraz with tempranillo, grenache, zinfandel, pinot noir, sangiovese, zinfandel, mourvedre, nebbiolo and graciano.
Other Vintages
2018-
Wilfred
Wong -
James
Suckling
Cape Mentelle Vineyards is a specialist producer of premium wines in Margaret River in the southwest corner of Western Australia. One of the country's finest wine regions, Margaret River enjoys a maritime location, with the added advantage of a long, dry growing season.
Cape Mentelle was one of the first vineyards established in the Margaret River region. First planted in 1970, there are today over 180 hectares under vine and the winery, constructed in 1977, crushes about 1,500 tons of fruit from estate vineyards and contract grown fruit sourced from within the region. Primary plantings are of Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with smaller amounts of Shiraz, Zinfandel, Merlot and Chardonnay.
The winery and original vineyard lie between the town of Margaret River and the Cape from which it takes its name. The original Mentelles were Frenchmen, geographer Edmunde and his cartographer brother Francois-Simon, who lived in Paris in the early 1700s.
Cape Mentelle Vineyards is committed to the concept of true regional styles and will continue to expand its operations to produce quality wines. The company believes that the role of specialist wineries lies in the production of premium wines from varieties best suited to specific regions. Emphasis is placed on individual fruit character and the development of a recognizable estate wine style.
Whether it’s playful and fun or savory and serious, most rosé today is not your grandmother’s White Zinfandel, though that category remains strong. Pink wine has recently become quite trendy, and this time around it’s commonly quite dry. Since the pigment in red wines comes from keeping fermenting juice in contact with the grape skins for an extended period, it follows that a pink wine can be made using just a brief period of skin contact—usually just a couple of days. The resulting color depends on grape variety and winemaking style, ranging from pale salmon to deep magenta.
Home to some of Australia’s most elegant and long-lived red and white wines, Margaret River is situated in the farthest reaches of Western Australia. Relatively warm and dry, the region is cooled by breezes from the Indian Ocean. Margaret River takes some inspiration from Bordeaux, producing top-quality Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux Blends with firm structure, mouthwatering acidity, balanced alcohol and notes of herbs and spice. For white wines, refreshing blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon as well as complex, age-worthy Chardonnays are regional specialties.