DSC (Domaine Sophie Claire) GSR 2022
Regular price $38.00
Unit price per
Grenache, Shiraz and Riesling from Krondorf and the Eden Valley. A small percentage of Riesling (4%) was co-fermented with the Grenache and Shiraz for this wine. Whole berry maceration has given this blend a vibrant purple hue and elegant, sweetly aromatic perfume. The wine spent 18 months in French and American oak, of which 10% were new. The wine was unfined and unfiltered prior to bottling.
‘Here, 4% riesling was co-fermented with grenache and shiraz; matured for 18 months in French and American oak, 10% new. I like the freshness of this wine. Look. I think I might be going bonkers, but I'm sure I can see some lime in that bright acid profile. Which would make sense. Outside of that, the fruit – all red cherry, cranberry and red, plummy stuff – is gorgeous. Dotted with spice and citrus blossom tones, some nice space and detail within, with gentle tannins and that fresh acidity livening this up and providing velocity. Great medium-bodied drinking. Drink 2023-2030.’ 95 points, Red Star For Value, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion, July 2024.
Charlie Melton needs no introduction. Since his first vintage in 1984 and on to his first vintage of Nine Popes in 1988 and beyond he has been a leader of the Barossa Valley. Importantly, he was one of the first to recognise the value of the Barossa’s old plantings of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro, at a time when the S.A. Government launched the infamous Vine-Pull Scheme, paying growers to remove these so unproductive vines!
And thank goodness he did! Since those early days, the range of Charles Melton Wines has expanded, with total plantings today of just over 34 hectares, the majority being old vine plantings in Krondorf, Lyndoch and Rowland Flat. Indeed, the very oldest of these (at Rowland Flat) will be celebrating their centenary in 2027.
As if this pedigree needed any endorsement, the 2014 Nine Popes was awarded the trophy for Best Australian Red at the 2017 International Wine Challenge in London. Today, Charlie has been joined by daughter Sophie as winemaker, further underwriting the future of this much admired and celebrated family business.