2019 Nine Popes, Charles Melton

Dark, brooding and gloriously unapologetic, Nine Popes opens with waves of blackberry, black cherry and plum, layered with liquorice, cracked pepper, smoked meat and warm spice. The palate is full and commanding, yet beautifully shaped, with dense dark fruit framed by savoury tannins, notes of cocoa and clove, and a freshness that keeps the wine remarkably composed. It’s powerful without being chaotic, generous without being clumsy, finishing long, savoury and deeply satisfying.

For when: the table is full, the food is rich, and the conversation runs late.
Pairs with: slow-cooked lamb shoulder, ribeye steak, game, or hearty winter stews.
If this wine were… a grand banquet hosted with confidence, tradition, and just enough swagger.

Nine Popes is Charles Melton’s flagship blend, inspired by the great Rhône-style wines but firmly rooted in Barossa Valley soil. A multi-varietal expression built around Shiraz with Grenache, Mataro and smaller Rhône varieties, it draws fruit from old, low-yielding vineyards across the valley. Founded in the mid-1980s, Charles Melton was instrumental in redefining Barossa as a region capable of balance as well as power. Today, the wines remain true to that founding vision, combining richness, structure and spice with restraint and longevity. Nine Popes stands as a benchmark Barossa blend, bold, layered and unmistakably iconic.