spaswinefood: Discovering the special magic of Barossa Valley's Charles Melton wines

Summer was already transitioning into autumn in the Southern Hemisphere when we arrived at Australia's Barossa Valley's Charles Melton winery in Tanunda. Little did I know that day what a special treat the wines would be. I must admit I am always excited to see the vineyards whenever I visit a winery. As we drove by the vineyard to the cellar door (tasting room) the grape leaves showed off their special golden touch.

Charles Melton Estate Vineyard, Tanunda © Spaswinefood

Entrance to Charles Melton © Spaswinefood

Charles Melton is a small winery known nationally and internationally for its premium red wines. The grapes used in their handcrafted wines are dry farmed in prime Barossa Valley vineyards (their own 50 acre estate vineyard, plus select grape growers). Their vineyard is a low volume grape production, with some grapes used in their wine making coming from vines exceeding 80 years, and others coming from vines over a century in age.

Charles Melton Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Charles Melton is one of the first winemakers to recognize the significance of Barossa Valley's old Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre vineyards. Melton convinced a small group of grape growers to preserve this part of Barossa Valley's Viticultural Heritage. In fact Melton has been credited with reviving the Grenache grape in Australia. In 2007 he was inducted into the "Barons of Barossa" for his contribution to the wine community.

Charles Melton Wines

After visiting the winery is not surprising for me to discover that Charles Melton Wines is on the list of Gourmet Traveller’s top 100 cellars.

Arriving at Charles Melton © Spaswinefood

Charles Melton Cellar Door © Spaswinefood

Charles Melton's Cellar Door produced its first vintage in 1984. The winery is known for its Australian version of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a Rhone style blend called "Nine Popes". The winery produced it first Barossa Valley GSM (Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre) blend in 1988. Their Rosé wine has also developed quite a reputation. Melton also produces Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and sparkling Shiraz. It is the only Australian winery that produces a vino santo style wine, Sotto di Ferro.

The wine tasting setting at Charles Melton is quite relaxing. We tasted wine around a large table. Then of course it was so much fun to join others in the tasting of the wines.

Tasting at Charles Melton © Spaswinefood

Yes, hanging with the local young folks was priceless. I suspect they may have been out for a day of Barossa Valley wine tasting. They invited us to join them in their limo but we passed.

Charles Melton Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

Our wine tasting included:

1. Charles Melton's Rosé of Virginia 2014. This wine is named after his wife Virginia.

Charles Melton, Rosé of Virginia 2014 © Spaswinefood

2. Charles Melton, La Belle Mère GSM 2011

Charles Melton, La Belle Mère GSM 2011 © Spaswinefood

3. Charles Melton, The Father In Law Shiraz 2012

Charles Melton, The Father In Law Shiraz 2012 © Spaswinefood

4. Charles Melton, The Kirche 2012

Charles Melton, The Kirche 2012 © Spaswinefood

5. Charles Melton, Crown Village Krondorf Cabernet 2011

Charles Melton, Crown Village Krondorf Cabernet 2011 © Spaswinefood

6. Charles Melton, Nine Popes 2012

Charles Melton, Nine Popes 2012 © Spaswinefood

7. Charles Melton, Grains of Paradise Shiraz 2012

Charles Melton, Grains of Paradise Shiraz 2012 © Spaswinefood

Charles Melton's Rosé of Virginia has been described by James Halliday as the best Rosé wines in Australia. Their Nine Popes wine is also known to have a cult like following. After visiting the winery and tasting these wines I totally understand why. Charles Melton wines are available for purchase in North America.

Charles Melton is where tradition and wine making style are a perfect blend. Bruce Schoenfeld writing for Saveur definitely hits the nail on head when he described wines, such as Melton's, as having "freshness and fineness far more than heft". Moreover, I rather liked his description of the Barossa Valley wine scene. My personal observations are that during my winery visits I tasted plenty of jammy Shiraz wines that were high in alcohol. In fact some wineries prided themselves in making wines in this style. Fortunately there is also a wonderful diversity of other wine styles throughout the valley.

Charles Melton Tasting Lunch
The day we visited they were advertising wine tasting with lunch. We would love to have done a wine tasting with lunch. It was too early for lunch however, Charles Melton is indeed the perfect spot for wine tasting and lunch. From all reports their Tasting Lunch with wine and food gets top reviews.

On the way out I wish I could have lingered longer.

After tasting wines like Charles Melton Wines it was so easy to fall in love with the Barossa Valley Wine Region. As we traveled throughout the region’s towns, villages and hamlets we only grew to love it more. This wine region not only home to over 80 cellar doors and 150 wineries but also it offers so many culinary delights, ranging from farmers markets to fine dining. Similarly you will find accommodations for every budget from student hostels and caravan parks to romantic country cottages, boutique hotels and more. The Barossa Valley has so much to offer its visitors. It rivals any top wine region in the world.

To/from the Barossa Valley

Barossa Valley is located an hour’s drive from Adelaide. It is easily accessible by car, bus and train. Adelaide, South Australia is served by domestic and international flights. Barossa also makes a perfect base for exploring the nearby wine regions: Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley and Murray River.

There is so much to do and see in South Australia's Barossa Valley. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood, or you can visit my travel column at the Examiner.

Sharon

April 2015

Tanunda, Barossa Valley
South Australia

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Thursday, September 24, 2015

Discovering the special magic of Barossa Valley's Charles Melton wines

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