Charles Melton Shiraz 2002

2002 Charles Melton Shiraz drinking beautifully

Tasting Notes

6/2/08
Charles Melton is acknowledged as one of Barossa’s more respected wine makers. Having started in the wine industry working under the tutelage of legendary Peter Lehmann for 10 years, Charles went his own way and started his own wine company in 1984. This was the dark period in Australia’s wine history - the vine pulling scheme implemented by the Australian government. With vision, realizing the value of old-vine fruit, Charles was able to save some of the Barossa’s finest old vine Shiraz and Grenache from extinction. The Charles Melton portfolio now draws on 50 acres of vines, owned by some 20 growers. This relationship allows Charles to have access to some outstanding old vine, dry grown fruit without the capital expenditure of vineyard ownership. The entire portfolio from top to bottom is without a doubt top tier, from his delicious Rose of Virginia to his play on the great red Rhone blend, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, his Nine Popes. The wines show exceptional sense of place, with generous fruit but always structured for the long haul.
The 2002 Charles Melton Shiraz is now starting to open up and is quite reflective of the cooler 2002 vintage, at least by Barossa standards. This is simply a beautiful drinking wine with enough bottle age to bring all the elements together into perfect synergy. The fruit, tannins and acidity are in harmony which makes this wine a real turn on right now in this stage of its life. The nose offers up a plethora of intriguing nuances, hints o pepper, chocolate, spice, as well as some faint earthiness flowing into the dusky red plum and darker red berry fruits on the nose. The palate is simply gorgeous, with a sleek, supple texture in a medium-fuller bodied format, almost elegant, with size and restraint working hand in hand with flavors of dark cherry and plum in abundance. Finer grained tannins with refreshing acidity provide structural support saying that as well as this is drinking currently, this will offer pure pleasure over the next 6-8 years easily, if not more.

Food Accompaniments

Grilled loin of lamb with a spicy dry rub

Price

SKU

Varietal

$24.99

7660

Shiraz