1998 Charles Melton Barossa Shiraz

Notes sourced from Charles Melton Winery.

Charlie Melton's ideal style of shiraz is one that combines the attributes of Barossa grown dry farmed Shiraz; richness and intensity of flavour which, when combined with Charlie's wine making skills is balanced by perfume and elegance. These wines will then posses that essential grace and balance when young that, after a decade's cellaring will translate into complexity and smoothness.The Shiraz vines range in age from approximately 30 years to gnarled old veterans of 100+ years. The fruit is mostly hand harvested in the 13º-14º Bé range with attention paid to full flavour development and acid pH balance.The fruit is crushed and destemmed into stainless steel closed fermenters. Fermentation is initiatedand proceeds at 18º-23ºC for 7-10 days with twice daily pumping over. Close to dryness the wine isdrained and pressed, all pressings added back to the free run. The wine is completely dry beforetransfer to both French (Vosge, Never) and American oak barriques. The wine is left "sur lie" forthe full maturation period with no racking or battonage.1998 was a classic growing season. Intense greengage plum sweet fruit on the nose. Powerful and weighty on the palate but no jarring harsh tannins or oak. A deceptively big sleeper. Cellar for 10 years. 14.5% alcohol volume.