2018 `Nine Popes` Barossa Valley, Charles Melton, South Australia

Charles Melton was among the first Barossa Valley winemakers to recognise the value of the region's old-vine Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre, persuading growers to keep historic vineyards standing while others were pulling them up for more fashionable varieties. Nine Popes, styled loosely on the wines of the Southern Rhône, is now considered a benchmark GSM blend in its own right.

The 2018 vintage is a blend of 50% Grenache, 48% Shiraz and 2% Mataro (Mourvèdre), sourced mainly from 98% estate-grown fruit in Rowland Flat and Krondorf, with a small parcel from Eden Valley. Average winter and spring rainfall set the vineyard up well, and warm, dry conditions through late spring and early summer encouraged an early harvest.

The wine opens with toasty, flinty notes and a quiet sweetness, showing real aromatic density with hints of anise and liquorice, backed by a generous, finely structured, sweetly fruited palate.

Region: Barossa Valley  |  Grape: Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre  |  Vintage: 2018  |  ABV: 14.5%  |  Size: 750ml