Bottle of Charles Melton Nine Popes 2018, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre blend

Nine Popes 2018

Charles Melton

Try if you like Châteauneuf-du-Pape

blueberries | damson | cinnamon

Sale price£80.99

Drew's Tasting Note

Rich and generous aromas and flavours of blueberries, damson, cinnamon and cardamom, with hints of liquorice, leather, and thyme. Soft tannins and wonderful depth with a delicious, long, rewarding finish.

Producer: Charles Melton | Vintage: 2018 | From: Barossa Valley, Australia | Alcohol: 14.5 | Size: 75cl | Style: full-bodied red, still | Grape: Grenache (Garnacha), Syrah (Shiraz), Mourvèdre (Mataro)

2019 vintage, 16.5/20 points, Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, October 2023

The Winery

Charlie Melton made his first vintage in the Barossa Valley in 1984, during a period when the Australian government was paying growers to pull out their old Shiraz and Grenache vines. Charlie took the opposite view, persuading farmers to hold on to their historic vineyards and helping to preserve the Barossa's viticultural heritage at a critical moment. His flagship wine, Nine Popes, is a Rhône-style blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro, inspired by Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the name reflecting Charlie's belief that "neuf" in French can mean both "nine" and "new." His daughter Sophie returned to the family business as winemaker in 2022.

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