Charles Melton Rosé of Virginia 2024 Rosé 2024
G 93
Rosé lovers around Australia owe Charlie Melton a debt of gratitude. For years, most local roses were not worth the empty bottle they came in. Mawkish, sweet, unbalanced, unhappy wines that really failed to impress on any level. Just a few producers maintained the faith and Charlie was certainly one of them. This was always a serious Rosé, though that never impacted on it being utterly delicious. It is, of course, named after Charlie’s wife, Virginia, who is the rock that holds the entire operation together. The blend looks to Grenache, Shiraz and Cabernet from regions such as Krondorf and Eden Valley. The colour is close to a fire truck red with punchy aromatics to follow. No shrinking violets here. Red fruits, strawberries, florals, orange rinds and spices on the nose, while the palate offers a soft yet focused structure. There is fine acidity and a lingering finish, this will drink majestically for at least five to six years. A no-holes barred Rosé many will love. Drink now–2030 Château Tanunda Grand Barossa GSM 2023 G 93 A delicious and impressive GSM blend here – 56% Grenache, 26% Shiraz and 18% Mourvèdre. The wine spent a year and a half maturing in a mix of older French and American oak. Garnet/crimson in colour, this is quite pungently aromatic. There are aromas of cherries, red fruits, dried herbs, spices and hints of cloves all swirling about. The structure gives us a seamless style with good direction and excellent length. There are fine tannins here and the palate shows both depth and weight. We see notes of plums and black cherries emerging on the palate. Delicious with a lingering finish, this is seriously good value to enjoy for the next six to 10 years. Just what you’d hope for with a Barossa blend of this trio of grapes. Drink now–2034 Château Tanunda The Château Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 G 93 Medium crimson. Blackcurrant, chinotto, herb aromas with hints of cedar. Fresh cassis, cola flavours, fine loose-knit grainy tannins, attractive mid-palate richness and underlying savoury notes. Finishes firm and long. Drink now–2028 14.5% alc Chateau Tanunda Terroirs of the Barossa Ebenezer Shiraz 2022 G 93 The team used small open fermenters and a basket press to ensure that the treatment of this wine was as gentle as possible. As part of their Terroirs series, this one hails from the Ebenezer sub-region. It is the tenth release of this wine. It spent a year and a half maturing in a combination of French and American oak. The colour is a dark maroon hue. Notes of Christmas cake, plums, mocha, coffee beans and chocolate are all evident here. The key is the plushness of the wine. There are fine though noticeable tannins on display, very good length and a seamless structure. A really attractive Shiraz which will provide pleasure any time over the next dozen years. It really shows the class of the Ebenezer sub-region. Drink now–2036
South Australia 2024
117
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