CHARLES MELTON
2018 ‘Voices of Angels’ Shiraz
2018 ‘Grains of Paradise’ Shiraz
2018 ‘Nine Popes’ GSM
‘Best Vintage Since 2006’
Charles Melton is one of the true legends in the Australian Wine Industry, one of a small group responsible for the Grenache revival in the 1980s/1990s, with a particular focus on ‘old vines’.
The 2018 vintage is the 35th released under the Charles Melton label and sits as one of the best ever, quite a statement given the consistently high reviews these wines receive.
The ‘Voices of Angels’ and ‘Grains of Paradise’ are stylistically very different expressions of Barossa Shiraz. The Voice of Angels Shiraz is more northern Rhone/Cote Rotie in style, from the highest vineyard site in the Eden Valley. Grains of Paradise is very typical of a ‘Barossa floor’ Shiraz, a more traditional Barossa Shiraz. Charlie believes that the 2018 vintage was a perfect vintage for showing the variation in style of these two wines “as distinctly as any vintage since 2006”.
Both wines spend 27 months in oak – Charlie explains this with “All the great wines of the world, when young, have a good oak profile. As they age this adds to their character. Both Voice of Angels and Grains of Paradise have more than the usual amount of time in (quality) oak”. Some time in bottle has resulted in perfect fruit/oak integration.
The about to be released (1 May) Charles Melton 2018 Nine Popes, a blend of old vine Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro produced with a nod to Chateauneuf du Pape, eases comfortably into the top rank of vintages produced. Aromatic and densely flavoured with great texture and balance this is a wine with both immediate appeal and longevity.
Charles Melton 2018
Voices of Angels
“This is an interesting wine. In addition to the shiraz, 4 per cent riesling from the same vineyard was co-fermented. Melton made wine with Peter Lehmann; adding white varietals to red wines was one thing they did. I’m not sure I’ve tasted a better one. Lifted perfumed sweet red fruit aromatics and a cedary fragrance. The palate is smoothly integrated with elegance and finesse.”
97 points, Ray Jordan, The West Australian
Charles Melton 2018
Grains of Paradise
“A small production shiraz that Melton gives traditional Barossa treatment with a modern touch of finesse. The wine is quite brilliant. Gets all American oak, which is super fine and immersion bent. There’s a beautiful combination of sweet fruit and oak with thyme and black olive traces. The palate has a wonderful feel with grainy tannins adding to the textural feel. Will cellar for many years.”
96 points, Ray Jordan, The West Australian
Charles Melton 2018 Nine Popes
“One of Australia’s most famous and significant wines. It’s a blend of Barossa grenache, shiraz and mataro. Melton has adopted a grenache dominant style with shiraz and mataro adding to the blend. It is a wine of complexity and layers with a mix of sweet fruit and spices all under a highly scented aroma. Grainy slightly chalky tannins hold it neatly. A modern classic.”
98 points, Ray Jordan, The West Australian
