The wines of Meridiana, Malta
Reviewing the wines from Malta's leading producer

Website: www.meridiana.com.mt

Meridiana is a wine estate in Malta with 18 hectares of vines planted in limestone-rich loamy soils in Ta’ Quali. The project began in 1987; until then, almost all Maltese grapes were made from imported grapes or table grapes, and the vision here was to produce genuine Maltese wines. The vines were planted in 1995 and 1996.

This was my first experience of Maltese wines; these bottles were kindly given to me by a buddy who is currently working there. The quality is high: while the Cabernet Sauvignon seems a bit chunky and old fashioned, the Chardonnay is good and the Syrah particularly impressive.

Meridiana Isis Chardonnay 2010
12% alcohol. Mealy, rich and bready with a hint of malt on the nose. The palate is broad, quite pure, and nutty with richness, yet it’s still in balance. Just a little short, but good quality. 86/100

Meridiana Bel Syrah 2008
13% alcohol. Savoury, spicy and mineral with taut cherry and plum fruit backed up by spicy, earthy notes. Surprisingly fresh and savoury for a warm-climate wine. Nice fresh fruit with interesting spiy Mediterranean character. Grippy, drying tannins on the finish. Slightly old fashioned, but delicious, with some Musar-like character. 90/100

Meridiana Celsius Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
12.5% alcohol. Slightly stinky, savoury, medicinal, gravelly, mineral nose. The palate is savoury, earthy and spicy, with notes of blood and tar as well as blackberry fruit. It’s quite firm and gravelly. An old fashioned savoury style with good concentration and distinctive, powerful flavours. 84/100

Wines tasted 08/11  
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