2017 Cape Mentelle Wallcliffe Merlot Petit Verdot Malbec

Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Elevated blackcurrant aromas infused with black olives are followed by cigar box, earth and subtle bay leaf notes. Medium to full in body the palate is layered with rich blackcurrant fruits which are underscored by cigar box, earthy dried herb, black olive and spice characters. Well constructed tannins impart some firmness onto the finish which is long and sturdy.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
54/26/20% merlot/petit verdot/ malbec. On skins for 54 days, basket pressed with pressings added back, left on ferment lees for 18 months in French barriques (50% new). Dark and dense with secondary characters already forming on the palate. This has leather strapping and exotic spice, putting one in mind of a Bordeaux blend rather than Margaret River. There's a charcuterie/sausage character through the finish. Very attractive and quite unexpected. Will age prodigiously. Drink by 2046.
95 points
Erin Larkin – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

It’s Merlot 54%, Petit Verdot 26% (Crossroads and Trinders) and Malbec 20% (grower in Wilyabrup). No price on the bottle or press notes, which is a strange omission from such a slick organisation.
This first thing I thought, is this comes over almost like a wine from the Napa Valley. Black fruit, perfume, distinct whiff of baking spices, sage and sweet tobacco, floral perfume above. It’s dense and tightly-knit, melting chocolaty tannin of depth and carry, mocha and freshness of acidity, oak is certainly there, but as a frame of luxury in context of wine. Succulence and savoury things. Very long and firm to close. It’s a beautiful wine of generosity and precision. Nutty and chewy and so lovely to roll around the mouth. Drink 2020-2028+
95 points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front