Campbell Mattinson 93 Points!
Tyson Stelzer 95 Points!
Campbell Mattinson 93 Points!"I seem to have missed the past few vintages of Melton's Nine Popes but it's a wine I always enjoy drinking. This vintage included. Grown on old vine bush grenache and old Barossa shiraz vines. Matured in two-thirds French, one-third American oak. 25 percent new.
This release is terrifically enjoyable to drink as a young wine. It's warm and sweetly spiced, fruit-driven and impeccably well balanced. Raspberries and licorice root, five-spice and earth. Smoth/cedary/spicy/creamy oak influences add to the enjoyment. This is a very good release. Purity plus. Smooth texture and warm length. I would drink it young but it will, of course, cellar well."
Campbell Mattinson, Wine Front, Feb 2012
Tyson Stelzer 95 Points!
"Charlie Melton loves pinot but wouldn't dream of growing it in the Barossa, so he's inspired to make Nine Popes in a similar way. Or, in his words, "not too boofy or heavy!" While others have been playing with the Burgundian technique of whole bunch fermentation only recently, Charlie has been on to it for twenty years. 2009 was a strong season for Barossa grenache and Charlie describes it as more "Burgundian in structure", yet juicier, plumper and sweeter. Shiraz leads his Nine Popes blend this year, with strong support from grenache and just a touch of mataro. The result is beautifully textured and finely poised, uniting dark berry fruits, violets, exotic spice and red liquorice with supple milk chocolate texture. It's an earlier drinking Nine Popes, and promises plenty of crowd-pleasing appeal."
Tyson Stelzer, Wine Taste Weekly
Country:
Australia
Region:
SA- Barossa Valley
Variety:
Wine Red - Grenache
Size:
750mL
