2012 Charles Melton Wines Nine Popes GSM – Stelvin 750ml

V I N T A G E Generally accepted as a stellar harvest. The first for a number of years to start at around our traditional harvest time (3rd week of February), and then became one of the longest, (over 10 weeks) due to the superbly mild and benevolent weather. Mild days, cool nights, and unhurried ripening patterns, all helped deliver high quality fruit in perfect condition.   S T Y L E Beautiful hue. Deep colour at its core, but ruby brightness at the rim. Wild herb spice, and sweet talc, have a conversation on the nose, with just the faintest hint of coal dust listening in. Mediterranean garrigue and herb flavours follow through on the palate, but with both a degree of weight, yet subtlety. Soft and dense early on the palate, with rounded tannins. Will build into a complex wine full of earthy interest.   V I N I F I C A T I O N Nine Popes probably undergoes the most complex fermentation process of all our wines. Hand plunging, whole bunch fermentation, and wild as well as cultured yeast are used in the mix of both co-fermentation and mono varietal fermentation. The wine is then finished in barrique, all French, around 25% new, with a varying amount of press wine added, depending on the vintage. The wine is left “sur lie” (26 months in 2012) before natural settling and bottling.   T E C H N I C A L  D A T A Alc: 14.5% 100% French Oak Barriques TA: 7.0 (28% new oak) pH: 3.48 26 months “Sur Lie” Ageing