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  • Cape Mentelle 331 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River, WA 6285

    • We acknowledge the Wadandi Boodja (Saltwater People’s Country) as the traditional custodians of the lands where we now grow and produce our stunning wines. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and commit to continued listening to and learning from First Nations’ voices.

2021 Chardonnay

2021 Chardonnay
2021 Chardonnay - View 1
2021 Chardonnay - View 2
2021 Chardonnay - View 3
2021 Chardonnay - View 4
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$60.00
/ Bottle
SKU: CH2021 1100924
"2021 delivered a Chardonnay with finesse, an intricacy of texture and stunning energy; a beautiful illustration of our mature vineyards and their remarkable location". - Coralie Lewis, Cape Mentelle Senior Winemaker

In Margaret River, considered one of Australia’s premium chardonnay growing regions, Cape Mentelle creates wines of plush texture, depth and power, yet balanced with a fine frame of acidity. Built around the classic local Gingin clone, this multilayered and complex wine draws upon an additional array of clones and multiple microclimates within our sites, benefitting from cool nights to capture an exquisite vibrancy of fruit.

Appearance
Brilliant pale lemon.
Nose
The aromatics unfold with bright lemon zest and white stonefruit florals following through with complex mineral layers of sea spray and hints of washed stone.
Palate
The palate is fresh and vibrant with a bright minerality and lovely biscuity texture. Succulent and salivating, opening up to frangipani, honeysuckle and lemon pie with the mouthfeel of silken tofu. Medium bodied with a crystalline acidity and beautiful fruit purity, finishing with poise and clarity.
Blend
100% chardonnay.
Cellaring
Will age gracefully for 10-15 years.
Food Pairing Notes
For the meat eaters this Chardonnay is a perfect match to pork - and who can go past crispy pork belly? Ramen with shiitake mushrooms and fried tofu in a white miso broth. Pan seared scallops.
Show Technical Notes and Reviews
The Vineyard
Chardonnay is grown on our two southern vineyards, about 15 minutes south of the Margaret River township. The two sites differ greatly in terms of aspect, soil profile, temperature extremes and rainfall. These conditions result in a variation of fruit profile which highlights the vineyard site, our region and the seasonal conditions each year. During the season our focus is to ensure good canopy growth while allowing air flow and sunlight in. This naturally reduces disease risk and encourages good fruit set in early summer. The majority of our chardonnay blocks are hand harvested in the cooler early morning conditions. Our aim is to produce fruit that showcases a great expression of site, with bright natural acidity, depth of flavour and purity of fruit.
Winemaking
Chardonnay is hand-picked with a ‘one plot, one batch’ approach, before being whole bunch pressed. The juice is transferred to barrel with all the solids, to undergo a wild fermentation. French oak selection is focused on enhancing the fruit personalities of each plot, with 25% of the barriques being new. The wine was left unsulphured for a few weeks post-ferment and matured on lees for ten months, with a stirring regime monitored by tasting to build texture. In the blend, Chapman Brook fruit provides generosity and weight while the Crossroads vineyard brings another layer of refinement and structure to the wine.
Analysis
13.2% alcohol, 6.89 g/l total acidity, 3.17 pH. Suitable for vegans.

Wine Pilot

Ken Gargett
96

2021 is proving to be an excellent vintage in the Margaret River region, but one needs a long memory to recall when they were not blessed with fine conditions. The fruit is sourced from the Crossroads and Chapman vineyards, mostly the gingin clone. Whole bunch pressed and fermented in barrels, maturation is in French oak (88%) and tank (12%) for ten months, before transferring to tank for a further five months with monthly lees stirring. 
A gleaming pale gold and such an alluring nose. The complexity is immediately evident  with wonderful floral notes, stonefruits and vanillin oak, finely integrated. Tropical notes emerge more on the palate than with the aroma. Balanced, exhibiting finesse and exceptional length. Balance, finesse and length are very much the hallmarks of this stunning Chardonnay. Eight to ten years with ease. 

2024 WA Wine Review

Ray Jordan
95

This cooler vintage proved ideal for chardonnay. This captures that vintage to perfection. The aromas are lightly fragrant with high florals evident. There is a subtle saline character merging. The palate has a fine crunchy feel with a little pear, cut lime and brioche richness. Excellent use of oak supplies a subtle complexing influence. I like this less opulent direction. Cellar 9 years.

International Wine & Spirit Competition September 2023

Silver Medal
92

Ripe orchard fruits and a nutty hint of marzipan on the nose with a focused palate of rich and vibrant fruits, excellent use of oak and racy acidity giving a touch of salinity and a powerful length. 

Decanter World Wine Awards 2023

Silver Medal
92

Restrained aromas of ripe melon and fresh peachy fruit. Slightly warm on the palate, supported by a vibrant acidity.

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