Charles Melton The Kirche 2019

Charles Melton The Kirche Barossa Valley Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia

Vintage: 2019

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14.5%

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.

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.

Charlie Melton was one of the first to recognise the value and tradition of the Barossa Valley’s old-vine Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre (Mataro). While others were grubbing up Shiraz to plant more fashionable varieties, Charlie and a small band of Barossa winemakers were convincing farmers to keep their historic vineyards. These wines were initially styled on those from the Rhône, but are now considered leading examples in their own right.

https://www.charlesmeltonwines.com.au