2015 Cape Mentelle Wallcliffe Merlot Petit Verdot, Margaret River

The undoubted complexity comes from the fine, persistent tannins that run through the length of the palate, providing the structure for the fruit to hang on to. A left field blend that has worked very well. Drink to 20230

95 points James Halliday winecompanion.com.au May 2018

Blend Merlot 63%, Petit Verdot 33%, Shiraz 4%

Dark garnet. Following a whiff of heady violet flower essence, the nose is immediately savoury and spicy with notes of cracked peppercorn, leather, black tea leaves, juniper and goji berries.The fruit is deep and dark in character. Blackberry and plum characters lead the way to intense dark toasted spices, freshly roasted coffee and tobacco leaf notes. The precision of the wine is revealed in the long caramelised oak finish, displaying round but voluminous tannins.