Chateau Xanadu's Jurg Muggli has gained enormous respect in the industry for his innovative and unique wine styles. His wines have won numerous national and international awards, with the Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve being one of the finest, longest lived reds produced in Western Australia.

No one in Margaret River combines tradition, high technology and innovation with more panache. These credentials stand him in good stead at recognising outstanding wines among the plethora of great wines to be found in the region.

"There are several Margaret River wines that I really enjoy, but I must say I recently sampled the 1997 Cape Mentelle Shiraz and I'm very impressed," said Jurg.

"I've always liked the CM Shiraz, but this particular vintage seems to have taken it to a new level. It is really great. Full of big fruit characters and very spicy. It brings out the deep characters of the grape very well."

Cape Mentelle has been producing Shiraz since 1981, one of the first local wineries to do so. The style has very much come into its own in recent years in the region.

A dense purple-red in colour, the latest CM Shiraz has a huge, massively concentrated bouquet with some gamey fruit laced overtones. On the palate the wines typically show wonderful spice, game and liquorice characters, with big extract and tannin.

Cape Mentelle Winery - home of the outstanding 1997 Shiraz

This wine can be reminiscent of the famous Syrah produced by the better houses in the Rhone Valley. A small percentage of grenache has been used the wine since 1986 to add spicy nuances.

Jurg's choice is further proof that Shiraz in the region improves with each year that goes by. Refined winemaking techniques combined with fruit from aging vines bodes well for the future of Margaret River Shiraz.