Charles Melton Wines

Written by Ian Robertson on 6th April 2008

Charlie Melton is a bit of a Barossa Valley winemaking icon. And big bodied red wine is the hallmark of the Barossa Valley. So it is a bit of a queer turn of events that the Charles Melton wine that seems to be continually written up in the wine press (myself included) is a pink wine, the Charles Melton Rose Of Virginia.

But then, whilst he is as down to earth as many winemakers, Charlie has also been happy to tread his own path since the establishment of his own label in 1984.

Over a decade before that time, Charlie’s EH Holden had broken down in the Barossa Valley on a cross country holiday. Taking a cellarhand job to earn some money, he probably did not realise how he would be become so entrenched in the place.

Both the land, the wines and the characters by that time seemed to have grabbed hold of him.

As luck would have it, Charlie was thrown in with the indomitable Peter Lehmann in those early days, and learnt a lot about the industry from him, as well as earning his name “Charlie.” (his real name is Graeme – why did Peter call him Charlie? Who knows…)

At the time, the likes of Peter and Charlie were in desperate struggle to convince Barossa growers to not submit to the government incentives around at that time to grub up their vines. Shiraz was not fashionable – and there was little money in it at the time. Charlie was a great believer in the Barossa and her vines and what they were capable of. The happy ending to the story is to be seen in the Valley today – although many vines were pulled up, much old vine material was saved and forms the basis of some classic drops today.

The first wine to create a commotion was his Nine Popes blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre, a classic blend inspired by the wines of Chateauneuf du Pape in France. A mouthfilling yet grippy wine, year in and year out it is a consistently high performer.

Today, Charlie has 50 acres under his own management, and buys from selected growers as well. All grapes are dry grown, and most vines are extremely old – much over 80 years and some used for Nine Popes over 100 years old. Yields are kept very very low, often less than a tonne per acre. Quality of fruit is often so high and powerful that although the top end reds spend 16 months in either American or French oak, the wines do not show too much oak influence in their flavour. The fruit just seems to soak it all up.

But back to that dichotomy for a second – why would it be that important a point to make that this pink wine in the range is getting all the press?

For me, it is all about winemaking. Charlie vintage after vintage produces Australia’s best rosé wine. No tricks or fluff to hide here – just produce the highest quality fruit and make the best wine possible.

Sums up Charles Melton pretty well…without even mentioning any of the ‘wild man’ stories…

Something to be thankful for!

Click here for Wine Without Wank reviews of Charles Melton wines.

Charles Melton web site.