Country: Australia  Region: South Australia  Vintage: 2015 Category: Rosé Wine  Color:  Rose Producer: Charles Melton "Charlie Melton was one of the first to recognise the value and tradition of the Barossa Valley's old-vine Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre (Mataro) vines. While others were pulling out Shiraz to plant more fashionable varieties, Charlie 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 of the varieties in their own right.Charles Melton has produced premium Barossa red wines since 1984. Charlie's wines have wonderful balance and freshness, with the use of French oak giving them a supple texture and balance. 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 having been planted in 1947, with the balance planted from the late 60s onwards. The estate vineyards are supplemented by other growers with whom Charlie has worked for a number of years. The oldest grower block dates from the 1880s, with a number ranging between 70 and 100 years old. Best known for his 'Nine Popes' (a blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro), Charlie's single site wines such as 'Grains of Paradise' and 'Voices of Angels' have grabbed a lot of attention in the last few years. The former, from the Barossa, is more elegant and lifted than most Barossa wines, while the latter, from a vineyard that straddles the border of the Adelaide Hills and the Eden Valley, is a modern classic." Winemaker: Charles Melton Vineyards: 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 80 acres of prime Barossa vineyard land, as well as from a select group of grapegrowers. Yields are extremely low with often only one tonne per half hectare and the vineyards are truly old with many exceeding 80 years. Vinification: A number of key techniques are important to the Rose of Virginia. Cold soak on skins followed by clear settling of the juice helps heighten the aromatics, and co-fermentation of the major varieties delivers the superb hue. A six to eight week cool alcoholic fermentation is followed, before bottling to retain as much youthful zest and life as possible. Tasting Notes: Fragrant Turkish Delight bouquet, with a little pepper and spice to help keep it grown up. The usual unique vibrant cerise tint adds colour to the table. Balanced acidity, tannin and weight give the usual Rose of Virginia combination of richness yet crispness. It will retain its fruit sweetness and perfume over a couple of years at least. Food Suggestion:  Serve reasonably chilled, with some great Thai or Antipasto. Closure: Stelvin  ABV:13.5%  Acidity [g/l]: 6.9