Charles Melton The Kirche Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
G 94
Those who have been to the Melton Estate in the Barossa Valley will be aware of the beautiful ancient church in the vineyards, near the entrance gate. This is known as the Kirche, and is now providing superb accommodation. If you’re interested, get in touch with the Estate. It dates back to 1864, which is even older than most of the vines in the region. This wine is a blend of 64% Shiraz and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon. Three-quarters of the oak is French with the remainder American; 30% of all the oak is new. Red cherry/crimson in colour, the nose reveals notes of dried herbs, redcurrants, kirsch, bay leaves, warm earth and cherries. The wine is both generous and fresh, with good energy and serious length. A line of bright acidity runs the length and there are fine tannins on the finish. Ideally, give the wine two or three years in the cellar before opening and then enjoy it over the following decade. Drink now–2035 Craneford Marananga Sands Grenache 2024 G 94 Grenache from the heart of the Barossa Valley, the sub-region of Marananga. The vineyard is low yielding with bush vines. Maturation was in older French oak puncheons for a year. The 2024 vintage is proving to be another excellent one and this is certainly apparent here. Pale crimson with a cherry edge, there is a lovely earthy/sandy note here. The nose reveals notes of raspberries and strawberries and that hint of fine earth on a warm day, supported by dry herbs and bay leaves. There’s even a touch of orange rind evident, with floral notes. The structure is seamless with juicy acidity, good focus and energy, and very good length which lingers beautifully. Enjoy this over the next 6–8 years. Drink now–2033 Craneford The Tribeca GSM 2023 G 94 A superb example of the Barossa Valley blend, Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. The fruit comes from the Marananga sub-region. The wine spent a year in older French oak puncheons for maturation. Deep garnet in colour, there are gorgeous aromas here. Liqueur cherries are to the fore, supported by hints of chocolate, plums, kirsch, mulberries and a dusting of cocoa powder. There is very good length here with fine balance throughout. The wine finishes with powdery tannins and is quite simply delicious. Enjoy it over the next eight years. Love it. Drink now–2033 Craneford No 1 Marananga Vineyard Shiraz 2023 G 94 At this early stage, the wine still has lashings of toasty vanillin oak, but integration appears to be proceeding as planned. Under Diam, the fruit came from the Marananga sub-region. Maturation was for 20 months, in French oak hogsheads, a considerable percentage of them new. The final wine is a barrel selection. Deep purple in hue, we have notes of chocolate, cassis, mulberries, bay leaves, liquorice, plums and black fruits. A juicy line of acidity lingers for the full journey and the wine is finely balanced with satiny tannins. Best left for two to four years and then drunk for the following 15. Drink now–2044
South Australian Wine Guide 2026 | Barossa
105
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