2015 West Cape Howe Cabernet Merlot

Founded in 1997, West Cape Howe has in a short period of time forged a reputation for delivering great wines at prices that make you look twice, their access to some of the best and most consistent vineyards in the Great Southern region enabling them to produce wines of superb balance that are loaded with flavour.

Selling for a song, the value here almost defies logic.

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot sourced predominately from the Great Southern region. Maturation took place in a combination of new and older French oak for a period of 12 months. Totally opaque black dark red core with a dark red hue. Pronounced red and blackcurrant aromas combine with mulberries, cedary tobacco characters, hints of black olive, subtle dried herbs and spice. Medium bodied with ample red to dark fruit richness to charm the palate, flavours of red currants, mulberries and subtle notions of dark cherries fill the mouth over a back drop of cedary tobacco characters and spicy bay leaf. Very refined, perfectly integrated tannins complete the picture of this savoury blend. Good length concluding with an aftertaste of red currants, mulberries, cedary tobacco characters, subtle bay leaf infusions and spice. Outstanding Value.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews…
A 90/10% blend blended after maturation in new and used French oak for 16 months. This is ridiculously good value. It's part of the Cape to Cape series, utilising grapes from all over Southwest WA, but doubtless using some estate fruit. It's packed to the rafters with juicy red and black fruits and integrated, yet obvious tannins meaning this will not be a one day/year wonder, but a 10-year job. Drink by 2029.
94 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion