Charles Melton The Kirche 2022
Regular price $52.00
Unit price per
100% estate grown Shiraz and Cabernet, principally from the Kirche vineyard in Krondorf Village, gives the 2022 Kirche its distinctive aromatics and flavour. Both varieties from this block perform consistently at the top end of the quality spectrum. The blend is a mix of co-fermented Shiraz and Cabernet and single varietal ferments that are blended post oak maturation. As always, a mix of French oak (81%) and American oak (19%) is used to mature the wine. A touch (31%) of new oak adds a fine cedar element to the bouquet, and the 30 month sur-lies maturation gives a natural richness to the structure. A cool (18-23°) ferment has helped give an elegance to the fruit perfumes.
Review for 2021 vintage‘A blend of 62% shiraz and 38% cabernet sauvignon with a little higher percentage of new oak this year (31% new; 81% French, 19% American). It's a good-looking wine, this one. Pristine blackberry, black cherry, dark plum and blackcurrant fruits … Not a hair out of place, with pure black fruits, layers of spice, beautifully judged oak use and a velvety transit across the palate, fine in tannin and looking wonderfully composed. Drink 2023-2038.’ 96 points, Red Star For Value, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion, June 2024.
Charlie Melton needs no introduction. Since his first vintage in 1984 and on to his first vintage of Nine Popes in 1988 and beyond he has been a leader of the Barossa Valley. Importantly, he was one of the first to recognise the value of the Barossa’s old plantings of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro, at a time when the S.A. Government launched the infamous Vine-Pull Scheme, paying growers to remove these so unproductive vines!
And thank goodness he did! Since those early days, the range of Charles Melton Wines has expanded, with total plantings today of just over 34 hectares, the majority being old vine plantings in Krondorf, Lyndoch and Rowland Flat. Indeed, the very oldest of these (at Rowland Flat) will be celebrating their centenary in 2027.
As if this pedigree needed any endorsement, the 2014 Nine Popes was awarded the trophy for Best Australian Red at the 2017 International Wine Challenge in London. Today, Charlie has been joined by daughter Sophie as winemaker, further underwriting the future of this much admired and celebrated family business.