1999 Charles Melton Nine Popes

[dananne]

From the Barossa Valley -- 54% Grenache, 44% Shiraz, 2% Mourvedre. Obviously, a CdP-type blend.

Decanted for 30 minutes to warm it up a bit from cellar temp and to let it open up, but this one should have aged a few years longer. Good spicy strawberry nose, likely from the Grenache, with some cinnamon on both the entry and finish. Very bright ruby color. Some medium-weight tannins holding it together, and the alc. was 14.5%. Tasted very big -- nothing very soft or subtle about it. I would have liked it more if it was tempered a bit, which aging might have done, and also if there seemed to be more earthiness to it, which I find to be a very valuable component of S. Rhone wines. All in all, it was tasty, but could have been better and did not justify the $40 price tag (purchased at an everpriced local wine shop).

I'll stick to Melton's very tasty Rose of Virginia for now.