Charles Melton Sparkling Red, Barossa Valley

Charlie Melton established his winery in Krondorf in 1984 and has been one of the Barossa's most influential figures since. At a time when the local government was paying growers to remove old Grenache and Shiraz vines, Charlie was doing the opposite and convincing farmers to keep them, pruning harder, farming drier, and showing what these ancient blocks were truly capable of. That love of Barossa's heritage runs through everything he makes.

Charlie's sparkling red is among Australia's finest expressions of the style. The current cuvée blends Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages. It was disgorged in 2024 after extended maturation on lees. The time on lees is the foundation of the fine, persistent mousse and the aromatic complexity that defines this wine.

The result is a wine of real character. Deep burgundy in the glass, with a clean and fragrant lift on the nose — red fruits, sweet spice and a subtle earthiness. The palate is rich and layered, with a fine, tongue-coating mousse and the kind of careful balance between fruit sweetness and firm tannin that gives the wine both immediate pleasure and genuine cellaring potential.

A genuinely unique Australian wine experience, equally at home at the dinner table or any celebration. Roast or smoked duck would be a natural match.

Best served just chilled, not ice cold. Those with patience will be rewarded — this has potential in the cellar for a further decade or more.