Charles Melton Voices of Angels Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2021
- 97
- $90
- Drink by: 2024-2034
Share
My understanding is that the name here dates back to a Springsteen concert in Adelaide quite a few years ago which Charlie, quite a few others and I were all at (by accident, rather than design). So while I may claim the most tenuous of connections to the name of this wine, I can claim nothing else. A shame, as this is a truly cracking example of what can be achieved in the Adelaide Hills from a wonderful vintage. 100% new French oak, though it swallows it without a hitch. An appealing mauve purple, which belies its age, the nose is exhibiting utterly gorgeous aromatics, a veritable spice kitchen. This is a bit like wandering through an Indian spice market, full of every imaginable smell and aroma, on a cool day. Cherries and raspberries, aniseed, florals and orange rind notes. I could smell this wine all day. Seamless in structure, this is generous and yet refined, with superb silky tannins, great length, immaculate balance and so persistent. This has another ten years of pleasure ahead of it, likely more, but one almost wonders how it could get much better. The Boss would be proud.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
