Made from a blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. Part of the wine was co-fermented, thus adding another level of complexity, whilst individual parcels were also fermented separately. Charles Melton's Nine Popes Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre draws its inspiration from the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape, an illustrious French wine region whose name translates to the evocative 'New Castle of the Popes.'

This extraordinary blend has transcended its Australian origins to achieve global acclaim. Unveiling its splendor in the 1999 vintage, this wine marries spicy fruit notes with impeccably balanced oak integration, exemplifying a masterful rendition of the esteemed Southern Rhône style.

Nine Popes is vinified with a couple of key objectives in mind. We use both whole bunch fermentation and destemmed but uncrushed berries during the maceration period, to ensure the greatest degree of fragrance along with cool fermentation temperatures and careful cap management to gain the silky texture and density that the Popes is known for. “Sur Lie” ageing in French oak for the whole 24-28 month maturation period adds additional mouthfeel and smoothness. The wine is then naturally settled and bottled without any finings whatsoever.