Capel Vale Winery Wine Awards & Reviews February 2018 Edition Gold Medal 2017 Single Vineyard Whispering Hill Mount barker Riesling Sydney International Wine Competition 2018 Geographe Margaret River Pemberton Mount barker www.capelvale.com
Single Vineyard Wines represent the ultimate expression of varietal fruit flavour and winemaking excellence from Capel Vale. They are only released in years when the highest quality standards are achieved. The Scholar Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 A full-bodied and concentrated cabernet from this excellent vineyard in Margaret River. Has reached a high level of consistency and quality in recent years and is now firmly established as one of the premier cabernets from WA. Leafy blackcurrant and tobacco characters with a trace of edgy black olive. Has a slightly cool mint perfume adding complexity. Layered and textured with a firmness that holds its lines through to the long finish. Rating: 96/100 Ray Jordan s 2015 Wine Guide Silver Medal London Decanter Wine Show 2015 The Scholar Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Such a rich and opulent vintage which has been expertly captured in this full-bodied and so generous cabernet from Margaret River. Loads of sweet sappy fruit with a liberal hit of French oak has harnessed an immensely powerful statement of the region. Ripe firm tannins and that oak hold toasty blackcurrant and dark chocolate fruit flavours with ease. Rating: 96/100 Ray Jordan s 2017 Wine Guide The colour doesn t have the depth expected at this price; in all other respects it does what is expected of it, with cassis, leaf and herb fruit, a decent amount of French oak and disciplined tannins. James Halliday Wine Companion 2017 International Wine & Spirits London 2017 Decanter Wine Show London May 2017 International Wine Challenge London May 2017 Silver Medal Asia Decanter Wine Show 2014 Whispering Hill Mount Barker Shiraz 2014 A tip-top example of the absolute synergy between Mount Barker and shiraz; go to the northern Rhone Valley to find a shiraz of similar style and quality, but count yourself lucky if you only have to pay double. Black fruits, liquorice, pepper all the usual building blocks, except these are gold-plated. Rating: 97/100 James Halliday Wine Companion 2017 Whispering Hill Mount Barker Shiraz 2015 Captures the qualities of the variety and this vineyard with its smooth flavoursome and quite poised delivery and fruit intensity. Savoury spicy notes of dark chocolate, plums and coffee grinds. The palate is generous with gravelly earthy nuances that merges so seamlessly into the richly textured fruit. A cracker. Rating: 95/100 James Halliday 2017 Rating: 96/100
Single Vineyard Wines represent the ultimate expression of varietal fruit flavour and winemaking excellence from Capel Vale. They are only released in years when the highest quality standards are achieved. Whispering Hill Mount Barker Riesling 2016 Silver Medal & 93 Points Canberra International Riesling Challenge 2016 Winestate Magazine New Release March/April 2017 edition. Elegant nose with citrus notes. Lovely mouthfeel that is well balanced and has excellent finish. Bright straw-green, still with almost no colour; generously proportioned in terms of fruit depth, but in no way flabby or extractive. Delicious Rose s lime juice runs through the length of the palate, acidity tingling in the background. Rating: 95/100 James Halliday 2017 95/100 New Release tasting March 2017 Whispering Hill Mount Barker Riesling 2017 Melbourne International Competition 2017 94/100 New Release tasting July 2017 A crisp bone dry Riesling from this outstanding vineyard in Mt Barker. Captures the Mt Barker mix of spices and citrus that is so distinctive. Fine minerally palate with a tangy crisp feel. Very nice wine. Rating: 92/100 Commended Decanter Asia Awards 2017 International Wine & Spirits London 2017 Canberra International Riesling Challenge 2017 Gold Sydney International Wine Competition 2018
Our much loved Black Label Series is back to express an exalted selection of our best vintages. The outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon & Chardonnay our from the family owned Capel Vale Margaret River Scholar Vineyard. Black Label Margaret River Chardonnay 2015 The oak influence won t be ignored here. Nutty, biscuity, spicy aromas to the fore, varietal citrus and peach character present, but less obvious. Richly textured, but held tight by acidity, the fruit flavour is a little hard to find within the structure. The oak is back again on the finish. It s a serious style, but perhaps needs time to really come together. Rating: 91 points James Halliday 2018 IWSC London 2016 2016 Langton s Margaret River Wine Show Commended International Wine Challenge London May 2017 Decanter Wine Show London May 2017 Silver London International Wine Challenge 2016 Chardonnay Tasting July 2017 Black Label Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Lovely dense purple wine with excellent rich blackcurrant and mulberry like fruit characters seamlessly integrated with sweet fresh oak. Another one for the cellar. Rating: 4.5 Stars Winestate Magazine new release tastings 2014 & best of new releases for the year. A beautiful perfume aroma stamps this excellent wine from the start. A mix of leafy tobacco and blackcurrant with a little liqueur chocolate. Deep and intense palate with real Margaret River structure. Firm assertive tannins and some quality French oak hold the whole thing together. It has the structure and fruit to cellar for a number of years. Ray Jordan s 2016 Wine Guide From the Scholar Vineyard in Margaret River. It s firm and powerful. It tastes of tar, blackberry, bay leaves and dry licorice.. Rating: 94 points James Halliday 2016 95/100 - October 2014
Capel Vale s Cellar Exclusive wines are limited releases of exceptional varietal wines developed at the cutting edge of viticulture in the cool climate vineyards of Western Australia married with modern wine making techniques used to exemplify the unique flavours and aromas from these grapes. Cellar Exclusive Margaret River Chardonnay 2016 A fabulous barrel-fermented rendition, the elegantly expressed bouquet shows white nectarine, rockmelon, nougat and subtle vanilla characters. The palate delivers bright fruit notes and youthful vibrancy, brilliantly supported by creamy texture and juicy acidity. The wine displays excellent mid palate weight and integration, finishing persistent and crisp. At its best: now to 2021. Rating: New Zealand June 2017 Cellar Exclusive Mount Barker Shiraz 2015 This delectable shiraz is filled with black/blueberry, toasted hazelnut, dark chocolate and mixed spice characters. It is beautifully weighted and attractive on the palate, delivering layers of silky texture and succulent fruit flavours, wonderfully enhanced by subtle savoury complexity. The wine is ripe, fleshy and instantly New Zealand June 2017 Cellar Exclusive Pemberton Semillon 2016 Beautifully elegant and delicately fruited, the bouquet shows lemon peel, green apple and subtle dried herb characters, leading to a finely textured palate that is taut and linear. The wine offers excellent fruit purity and vibrancy, wonderfully structured by mouth-watering acidity. A delightful young semillon. At its best: now to 2022. Rating: 92/100 New Zealand June 2017 Cellar Exclusive Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Beautifully ripe and fragrant, the inviting bouquet shows blackcurrant, dark plum, smoked game and mint chocolate characters. The palate delivers excellent concentration and rounded mouthfeel, brilliantly framed by silky texture and fine, chalky tannins. The wine is expressive and immediate, and offers terrific drinking. At its best: now to 2020. New Zealand June 2017 Cellar Exclusive Rosé 2017 The inviting bouquet shows red apple, watermelon, citrus and floral notes, leading to a juicy palate that is elegantly fruited and finely textured. A delightful rose offering vibrant fruit flavours with crisp acidity, finishing persistent and juicy. At its best: now to 2019. Rating: 92/100 New Zealand September 2017 92/100 New Releases 2017 Cellar Exclusive Geographe Malbec 2016 Geographe Wine Show 2017
Regional wines are elegant and graceful wines. They are high quality wines that reflect varietal and regional characteristics. Perfectly approachable upon release, they will however, reveal their strength and pedigree with further appropriate cellaring. Mount Barker Riesling 2016 Gold Medal Rating: 95 points Canberra International Riesling Challenge 2016 Gold Medal 94/100 New Releases 2016 Rating: 91/100 Ray Jordan Wine Guide 2017 Commended Decanter Wine Show London May 2017 Clear varietal expression to a wine that is generous in every way, lime juice/ apple, balanced acidity and good length. Rating: 90 points James Halliday 2018 International Wine Challenge London May 2017 Mount Barker Wine Show 2016 Pemberton Semillon 2016 Mount Barker Wine Show 2016 100% fermented in new and older French oak, this beautifully made wine has aromas of cut grass, greengage and lemon zest. Subtle and restrained, there is lovely mid-palate intensity for what is a compelling example of the style. Rating: 92 points James Halliday 2018 Pemberton Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Margaret River Chardonnay 2015 91/100 New Releases 2017 This savvy is sourced from Pemberton, a region that is well suited to this variety. It s very good. Muted tropical fruit with a spicy slightly savoury character. It s clean and pure on the nose and palate with a textured palate of good length. Rating: 91 points International Wine & Spirits London 2017 Chardonnay Tasting July 2017 A portion of this wine went through mlf together with some battonage during maturation in older French wood to give the wine texture and immediate drinkability. It's worked and the result is a delicious, good value, persistent and fruit driven drink-now chardonnay. Rating: 92 points James Halliday 2018 Opens with a neat savoury minerally cashew aroma. A trace of citrus and some deeper stone fruit nuances emerge. The palate is balanced and dry with a keen savoury edge through to the finish. Rating: 90 points Melbourne International Wine Competition 2017 Decanter Asia Wine Show 2017
Regional wines are elegant and graceful wines. They are high quality wines that reflect varietal and regional characteristics. Perfectly approachable upon release, they will however, reveal their strength and pedigree with further appropriate cellaring. Pemberton Pinot Rosé Pale onion skin blush. The aromas of savoury dry pinot is in the modern idiom. The palate has a deliciously subtly sweet fruit middle but the dry savoury finish is classic Provence. Made as a modern drinking food wine and it does it so well. Mount Barker Regional Series Shiraz 2014 91/100 New Releases 2016 Rating: 91 points Decanter Asia Wine Show 2017 Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2014 Winestate Magazine Cabernet Challenge 2016 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Concentrated, bold ripe fruit. Abundant blackberry, spice and dark chocolate flavours. Plentiful tannins with a long, fruity finish. Decanter World Wine Awards 2016 Rating: 91 points James Halliday Wine Companion 2017 An elegant expression of Margaret River cabernet with the smooth and seamlessly structured palate a feature. Blackcurrant dominance with notes of chocolate and dark plum. Just faintly assertive on the finish to keep it tidy and focused. Medium term is best. Rating: 92/100 Ray Jordan Wine Guide 2017
Debut wines are fresh, fruity, exuberant wines which remain true at all times to their varietal origin. Sparkling Brut NV 91/100 Magazine July 2015 This is part of a consistent value range from this impressive WA producer. Lifted aromatics with a surprising intensity and driving palate. Nice creamy, fluffy finish and plenty of persistent flavour. Rating: 89/100 Ray Jordan Top 100 Sparklings West Australian 2014 Ducks hold a special place in the hearts of Australians, not sure why, but they also hold a special place in our stomachs, as does this. Rating: 8.5/10 Max Crus - Grape Expectations Debut Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2017 94/100 New Releases 2017 Debut Late Harvest 2017 91/100 New releases 2017 Debut Chardonnay 2014 Magazine July 2015 Debut Shiraz 2013 Magazine July 2015 Debut Cabernet Merlot 2014 New Releases 2016 Soft and plump fruit bomb. Loads of spicy plum and blackcurrant with only a small amount of oak. Ripe supple understated tannins. A juicy and fleshy little number ideal for drinking in the short term. Debut Pinot Noir 2014 New releases 2017 Rating: 88/100 Ray Jordan Wine Guide 2017