Cape Mentelle
Shiraz "Margaret River"
2004
This Shiraz has some of the funkiness of French Syrah on the nose: dark chocolate, tobacco, earth, menthol, and red cherries. But it veers in a slightly different direction—an Australian direction—on the palate: spearmint, dark bramble fruits, tannin, earth, and lots of heat (it's 15% alcohol). The nose is truly exquisite, remarkable. It adds a high, refined note to the experience.
Time would tame this wine, but it's still pretty darn good right now, in our glass.
Price: $16
