From choice Barossa blocks between Williamstown and Ebenezer, some over eighty years of age. Parcels are treated to the complete Charles Melton regimens, whole bunch fermentation of de-stemmed but uncrushed fruit. Cap management techniques include pigeage and hand plunging, as well as daily pumpovers throughout fermentation. The base wines after completion of ferments, present a fascinating palette from which to construct the Nine Popes, fortuitously not too much quantity at any extreme. A higher percentage of French oak is employed to add lovely cedar notes. Aged twenty eight months sur lie, Nine Popes is assembled before a light filtration.