Over the years we have identified vineyards that repeatedly produce the best Cabernet wines, many planted over 60 years ago. These older, low yielding vineyards produce fruit that displays the classic lifted cassis and violet characters of great Cabernet. Mentor is fermented and matured in 100% French oak hogsheads, which integrates seamlessly with the powerful flavours and structure of the wine. .Recognising the greatness from a superb vintage, the winemakers chose this Cabernet for the 2004 Mentor, the first of this line to be released as a straight varietal. This is the best Cabernet we make each vintage and our particular dedication to Peter - the founder of Peter Lehmann Wines and ‘Champion of the Barossa’.
 
The colour is an intense brooding blackness with touches of purple at the rim. The nose is an opulence of classical Barossa Cabernet blackcurrants and violets. A great generosity of flavour and velvet fruit reined in by the fine chalky tannins on the finish.

Very good hue; classic cabernet on both bouquet and palate, oak seamlessly integrated by finishing fermentation in French hogsheads, the cork a tribute to the flat earth American market; very good structure and great length. Cork. 14% alc. Rating 96 Drink 2020 $40 Date Tasted Aug 08 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2010

A slow-maturing, long term cabernet that will take years to unravel its layers of deep, dark fruits, polished cedar/vanilla oak and firm, tightly-knit tannin. A floral perfume of raspberries, cassis, plums and fresh bubblegum-like oak precedes a long, tightly knit and finely measured palate saturated with vibrant and persistent flavour.(18.6/95, YTD 2016-2024+) Jeremy Oliver

I must say that I like the cut of Peter Lemann’s gib - the wines aren’t burnt with high alcohol nor thumped with too much oak. Deliciously satisfying to smell with choc-mint, Cassis, nougat cedar oak and a bit of liquorice. In the mouth a full bodied combination of rich fruit and freshness with flavours of hazelnut chocolate, blackcurrant and that fuller Cassis character. There are plentiful firm but fine powdery tannins and some coal and earth to remind you that you’re still in the Barossa. It offers generosity, but with a little restraint. A wine of considerable charm and loveliness. Rated : 94 Points Tasted : Aug08 Alcohol : 14% Price : $40 Closure : Cork Drink : 2008 - 2018+ Gary Walsh; The Wine Front