Charles Melton The Kirche
TASTING NOTES
Lovely deep colour, with excellent bright hue. Black fruits on the nose, blackberry with a touch of cedary, gently smoky oak. Plush creamy structure with some lovely round tannins and great length mouth filling, but fine and elegant.
VINEYARDS
The estate is situated in a region called Krondorf, around 290 metres above sea level. The vines were planted in 1989 and 1974, so are relatively youthful, at around 40 years old. They produce some of the highest quality Cabernet grown in the Barossa, along with superb Shiraz. Most of the vineyard sits on loam and red clay, with the edge on the eastern side, heading into the seam of black cracking clay. The name comes from the surrounding area known as the Zum Kripplen Christi Lutheran Church (Kirche in German), built in 1864.
VINIFICATION
100% estate grown Shiraz and Cabernet, principally from the Kirche vineyard in Krondorf Village, gives the 2019 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 (50%) and American oak (50%) are used to mature the wine. A touch of new oak adds a fine cedar element to the bouquet, and the 30 month “sur lie” maturation gives a natural richness to the structure. A cool (18 – 23ºc) ferment has helped give an elegance to the fruity aromas.
To see our full range of Charles Melton wines go to https://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/product-category/charles-melton-wines/
To find out more about the winery go to http://www.charlesmeltonwines.com.au/
Charles Melton Wines has produced premium Barossa red wines, always at our winery on Krondorf Road, since 1984. It was in the mid 80’s that Charlie and a small band of Barossa winemakers turned their winemaking efforts to what was considered then a couple of unfashionable varieties; Shiraz and Grenache.
With these varieties, Charlie built a small range of classic dry reds including a Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre blend called the Nine Popes. These wines were initially styled on those from the Rhone but are now considered leading examples of the varieties in their own right.
Charles Melton The Kirche
£42.00 a bottle
5 in stock
Charlie Melton is now a lengendary figure, not only in the Barossa but also in the UK. His wines have won many admirers and accolades. His stature was enhanced even further when his 1998 Shiraz beat Grange and Hill of Grace to win a Wine Magazine tasting of Australian Shiraz (January 2001 issue).
The Barossa Valley is one of the major regions in Australia, where many of the major wine companies are based. It is believed the first vineyards were planted in the 1840s by Silesian migrants (who settled in Bethany). There followed a rapid expansion of plantations. The early styles of wines produced were heavy dry red wines and fortified wines that were popular both domestically and in Britain. After the Second World War the styles shifted to lighter table wines with production of Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The Barossa Valley is home to some very well known names such as Seppelt, Wolf Blass and Penfolds as well as many smaller producers. The climate is Mediterranean with hot dry summers and cool wet winters, making it ideal for viticulture. The main wine styles: White – Semillon, Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon-Chardonnay blend; Red – Shiraz (full bodied & ripe) with Old Vine Shiraz a speciality of many vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Shiraz-Grenache-Mataro blend, Cabernet-Merlot blend.
Blend Australia’s finest fleshy fruity grape variety with other grape varieties results in some wonderful wines.
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