Cape Mentelle Zinfandel 1999

Margaret River. Western Australia
Sealed with cork.
15% alcohol
Approx A$35.

Deep red, with a fading meniscus. Raisin,
fruit cake, lifted alcoholic nose. Full and warming
before an onslaught of brettanomyces taint
(sticking plaster, horse hair, abrasive finish),
which is unsuccessfully moderated by a lick of vanilla.

Drink now.

Cape Mentelle had major problems with brettanomyces
in the late 1990's. The flagship 1997 cabernet sauvignon
was not released as a result of the taint. It would now seem
that this problem has been resolved. I certainly had no
problem buying a case of their 2001 cabernet.

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