Charles Melton, `Nine Popes` 2016 Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

PRODUCER Charles Melton Wines has produced premium Barossa red wines since 1984. At that time, Charlie and a small band of Barossan winemakers turned their efforts to what were then considered a couple of unfashionable varieties: Shiraz and . These wines were initially styled on those from the Rhône but are now considered leading examples of the varieties in their own right.

VINEYARDS The Grenache in this blend comes from old bush vines in the Barossa, many of which are over 80 years old. The Mourvèdre is also from a small parcel of bush vines in the Eden Valley, whilst the Shiraz is trellis grown. The blend is made up primarily of grapes from Charles Melton's prime vineyards plus some from the vineyards of a small number of trusted partner growers. None of the vineyards are irrigated, they are all dry grown. This coupled with the low yielding old vines leads to great concentrations of flavour in the grapes.

VINTAGE The 2016 vintage was dry from the start with winter rainfall below average and almost no precipitation through spring. Fortunately 40 millimetres of rainfall over a 12 day period at the end of January helped the vines remain healthy through the harvest period.

VINIFICATION Charlie Melton uses a range of different techniques in the production of the Nine Popes. Both whole bunch and whole berry fermentation is completed and temperatures are kept cool. The wine is aged on lees for 24-28 months in French oak, of which 60% is new oak. The wine is then naturally settled and bottled without fining. Grape Varieties 50% Grenache/Garnacha 48% /Shiraz TASTING NOTES 2% Mourvèdre This wine is deep red in colour with a floral bouquet. This vintage is Winemaker Charlie Melton structured and spicy with sweet red fruit and floral flavours which will develop further over time. It is rich and complex in the Popes Closure Stelvin Lux tradition. ABV 14.5% Acidity 5.22g/L AWARDS 100 Best Australian Wines 2019/20, Matthew Jukes Best 100 Wine pH 3.55 International Wine Challenge 2019, Silver Bottle Sizes 75cl, 1.5lt