Shiraz “Grains of Paradise” Barossa Valley 2017 – Charles Melton

The grapes to produce the Shiraz “Grains of Paradise” Barossa Valley Charles Melton were destemmed and 60% were pressed. Fermentation took place at temperatures between 18-23°C with pump-overs performed daily. The wine was moved to a mixture of new and old oak to undergo malolactic conversion on full lees, before it was racked to new American barriques where it aged for 12 months before blending and bottling.

Shiraz grapes for the ‘Grains of Paradise’ come from the finest vineyard sites in the Barossa. Much of the fruit was sourced from Charlie’s Nitschke vineyard in Krondorf. Relatively youthful at 20 years old, this vineyard produces some quality Shiraz. Most of the vineyard sits on loam and red clay; the vines are dry grown and spur pruned.

Charles Melton was one of the first to recognise the value and tradition of the Barossa Valley’s old-vine Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre (Mataro). While others were grubbing up Shiraz to plant more fashionable varieties, Charles and a small band of Barossa winemakers were convincing farmers to keep their historic vineyards. These wines were initially styled on those from the Rhône, but are now considered leading examples in their own right. Since 1984, Charles Melton has produced premium Barossa red wines which have wonderful balance and freshness, with the use of French oak giving them a supple texture and poise. The grapes are dry-grown, chemical free and harvested from the winery’s own vineyards in Tanunda and Lyndoch. The estate vineyards now comprise 32 hectares, the oldest planted in 1947 and the balance planted from the late 1960s onwards. The estate vineyards are supplemented by other growers with whom Charles has worked for a number of years. The oldest grower block dates from the 1880s, with numerous vines ranging between 70 and 100 years old.