An Elegant Introduction to Margaret River Cabernet — From One of the Region's Founding and Most Celebrated Estates

My Wine Man on Cape Mentelle

Cape Mentelle is one of the founding estates of the Margaret River wine region and one of the most important names in Australian wine. Established in 1970 by David Hohnen — the same visionary winemaker who would later create Cloudy Bay in New Zealand — Cape Mentelle was among the first producers to demonstrate that Margaret River's unique combination of maritime climate, gravelly loam soils, and long, even growing seasons could produce Cabernet Sauvignon of world-class quality. Today, the estate is widely regarded as one of Margaret River's benchmark producers, crafting a range of wines that express the region's distinctive character with precision, elegance, and consistency. The Marri Cabernet Sauvignon takes its name from the Marri tree — a native Western Australian eucalyptus that grows throughout the Margaret River landscape, its presence a constant reminder of the wild, untamed beauty of this remarkable wine region. Designed as an accessible, approachable expression of Cape Mentelle's Cabernet philosophy, the Marri delivers the estate's hallmark elegance and regional character at a price that makes it an outstanding everyday luxury. The 2023 vintage in Margaret River was defined by a long, cool growing season with excellent natural acidity and fruit purity — producing wines of exceptional freshness, balance, and immediate drinking pleasure.

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby with a vibrant, youthful clarity. The nose is immediately inviting and classically Margaret River — fresh raspberry, blackcurrant, and dark cherry lead, layered with notes of dried mint, dark chocolate, and a subtle graphite and black olive earthiness that is the hallmark of great Margaret River Cabernet. There is a lovely floral lift — violet and rose — that adds elegance and aromatic complexity. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied with supple, fine-grained tannins, vibrant natural acidity, and a long, fruit-driven finish with a gentle cedar and spice note from oak aging. This is Margaret River Cabernet at its most approachable and immediately satisfying — a wine of genuine regional character and everyday elegance.

Style & Drinking Window

Elegant, medium to full-bodied Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon with excellent freshness, balance, and regional character. Drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop through 2028–2031. Decant for 20–30 minutes to allow the wine to open up and reveal its full aromatic complexity. Serve at 16–18°C in a large Bordeaux glass.

Food Pairing

The Marri's dark berry fruit, mint, and supple tannins make it a wonderfully versatile food wine. A well-seasoned steak — a sirloin or bavette with a simple herb butter — is the classic Cabernet pairing and works magnificently here. Slow-roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic is another outstanding match, the wine's dark fruit and mint notes complementing the richness of the meat beautifully. Roasted beef with a red wine and mushroom jus, or a hearty lamb ragu with pasta, also pair superbly with the wine's fruit depth and gentle tannin structure. Aged cheese — a mature Cheddar, aged Gouda, or a firm Manchego — rounds off the experience perfectly.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$209, the 2023 Cape Mentelle Marri Cabernet Sauvignon delivers genuine Margaret River Cabernet character — from one of the region's founding and most celebrated estates — at a price that makes it an outstanding everyday luxury. This is the ideal entry point into Cape Mentelle's Cabernet range: a wine that carries the estate's hallmark elegance, regional precision, and winemaking philosophy at a fraction of the price of the flagship Cabernet. For lovers of elegant, food-friendly Australian Cabernet who want the authentic Margaret River experience without the premium price tag, this is the bottle.

Looking for a Different Style?

If you'd like to explore other exceptional Margaret River Cabernets from our range, consider these alternatives:

• 2020 Woodlands Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot — A beautifully crafted Bordeaux blend from one of Wilyabrup's most respected family estates — elegant, structured, and built for the medium term.
• 2022 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Cabernet Sauvignon — From Margaret River's most celebrated estate — the Prelude is a more structured, complex expression of Margaret River Cabernet with excellent cellaring potential.
• 2019 Fraser Gallop Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon — A refined, Bordeaux-inspired Margaret River Cabernet from one of the region's most meticulous producers — precise, elegant, and built to age.