Nine Popes 2018

Located in the renowned Barossa Valley in South Australia, the Charles Melton estate boasts a vineyard of old Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvèdre vines planted in diverse soils of clay, sand, and gravel. The parcels destined for the Nine Popes cuvée are primarily situated around Krondorf and the central valley, in a warm climate tempered by cool breezes. This mosaic of terroirs allows for optimal grape ripeness while preserving freshness, resulting in a concentrated yet balanced wine.

Made from a blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvèdre grapes harvested at optimal ripeness, this wine is crafted from parcels vinified separately. Fermentation takes place in open vats with regular pump-overs to extract color, aromas, and structure, before gentle pressing. The batches are then aged for an extended period in oak barrels, primarily French, with a proportion of new oak, and then blended after aging to achieve the desired balance of richness, spicy complexity, and silky texture.

This wine reveals notes of ripe black fruit , candied red fruit , and plum , complemented by spicy touches of pepper and licorice , as well as subtle floral accents and a hint of vanilla and toasty oak. The palate is ample and generous, supported by a velvety texture, fine yet structured tannins, well-integrated acidity, and a long , flavorful finish that underscores the richness of the Rhône grape blend.

Australia began producing wine more than two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multigenerational winemaking families, and a deep-rooted knowledge and respect for craftsmanship. Add to this a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude, and a diverse portfolio of 65 wine regions across a wide range of climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine nation. Australia burst onto the export scene in the 1980s and has since been offering the world vibrant, fruity, and exceptionally good-value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the history of Australian wine was dominated by examples of Shiraz, Grenache, and overly concentrated red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diverse range of high-quality Australian wines and regional wines that has always existed. Australian viticulture is concentrated primarily along the southern coastline where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, each centered around major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne, and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the fourth-largest exporter in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines throughout the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.