Charles Melton Nine Popes 2016

A wine we have followed for many years, with one particular memory being the 3 litre 1996 we had at our 31st birthday back in March last year.

The 2016 release is made up of 46% Grenache, 45% Syrah and the rest being Mourvedre. It’s a wine with a strong core of primary fruit which brims with lively, juicy vibrancy, some spice and earth and an ashy, charry finish at the back which seems to be the Mourvedre speaking. It’s got some weight and body, but older vintages always show that the palate softens nicely with time in the cellar and the prettiness of the wine comes to the front.  – Ches Cook, FWC.