A classic Melton blend, with a deep purple colour displaying, lovely sweet violet and mixed herbal fragrances then juicy dark fruit, smoke and a certain meatiness on the palate, supported by fine grain tannins and good clenasing acidity. Serve with red meats and cheeses.

Since the first vintage of Charles Melton Wines in 1984, this small Barossa Valley winery has gained both national and international recognition for its premium red table wines.

The wines move from a light red, ‘The Rose of Virginia’, described by Anthony Rose in London’s Observer newspaper as, ‘The Best Rosé in Australia’, through to Australia’s premier Rhone-style red, ‘Nine Popes’. Melton also makes small quantities of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sparkling Shiraz, and is the only Australian producer of a vin-santo styled dessert wine, Sotto di Ferro.

Melton was one of the first to recognize the value and tradition of the Barossa’s old vineyard Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre. At a time when others were pulling outvineyards of Shiraz to plant more fashionable varieties, he was convincing farmers to keep their historic vineyards. He was one of a small group of winemakers who helped retain the viticultural heritage of the Barossa.

At Charles Melton Wines, great emphasis is placed on the quality of fruit. All grapes are dry grown and harvested from the winery’s own 50 acres of prime Barossa vineyard land, as well as from a select group of grapegrowers. Yields are extremely low with often only one tonne to the acre, and the vineyards are truly old with many exceeding 80 years Showing complexity from this range of vineyard sites and vinification techniques, the wines have demonstrated over the last decade an ability to cellar gracefully into mature examples of the finest Barossa styles.