2022 Cape Mentelle Zinfandel, Margaret River

There’s no denying this is a bolshie wine – laden with oak (50% new French, American and Hungarian barrels aged 18 months), loads of tannins and some alcohol warmth. And yet, there’s a core of good fruit within – all plums, boysenberries with some blackberry jam, spicy with dark choc-mint. Powerful, rich and ripe with a little green walnut bitterness to the finish. Zin fans will be pleased with this. Better with hearty fare and best with more age on its side.

93 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Cape Mentelle Zinfandel is a unique and characterful red from Margaret River, offering a vibrant, spicy, and richly fruited take on this rarely seen variety in Australia. Cape Mentelle, one of the region’s founding wineries established in 1970 by brothers David, Mark, and Giles Hohnen, has long been a pioneer, planting Zinfandel in the late 1970s when almost no one else in the country was experimenting with the grape. Over the decades, it has become one of Cape Mentelle’s cult wines, known for its intensity, complexity, and the way it captures Margaret River’s maritime freshness alongside Zinfandel’s exuberant personality.

The Zinfandel vines grow on gravelly loam soils over clay in the central part of Margaret River. The maritime climate provides warm days tempered by cool afternoon breezes from the Indian Ocean, creating long, even ripening seasons that allow the variety to achieve full flavour development while maintaining acidity. The grapes are hand harvested and sorted, then fermented in open-top tanks with gentle plunging to control the naturally high sugar levels and build fine tannins. The wine is matured in a mix of French and American oak barrels, with a careful balance to enhance spice and structure without overwhelming the fruit’s natural vibrancy.

In the glass, Cape Mentelle Zinfandel is a deep ruby-purple. Aromas of blackberry jam, ripe plum, raspberry, and blueberry leap from the glass, intertwined with notes of sweet spice, vanilla, black pepper, and a touch of cedar. The palate is full bodied and plush, with layers of rich dark fruit, vibrant acidity, and supple tannins that give shape and length. There’s a lovely interplay of ripe generosity and savoury spice, finishing long and balanced with a hint of mocha and dried herbs.

This wine pairs wonderfully with barbecued ribs, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, rich tomato-based pasta, or spicy sausages. It’s equally delicious with grilled vegetables or smoky eggplant dishes. While approachable in its youth for its exuberant fruit, it has the structure to age gracefully for 8 to 12 years, developing savoury complexity and softening beautifully over time.