The Father in Law 2020

Located in the renowned Barossa Valley, northeast of Adelaide, the Charles Melton estate boasts a vineyard of old vines rooted in diverse soils of silt, clay, and gravel. The warm, dry climate, tempered by cool breezes from the surrounding hills, allows the grapes to reach optimal ripeness while preserving their freshness. The parcels selected for The Father in Law come from historic sites within the valley, meticulously tended to produce moderate yields and a natural concentration, emblematic of this Australian terroir.

The red grapes for this cuvée are harvested at perfect ripeness and then destemmed before fermentation in vats, conducted using traditional methods to preserve the fruit and structure. Maceration is managed through regular pump-overs to extract color and supple tannins. After racking and gentle pressing, the wine is transferred to oak barrels for aging, combining old and new wood to impart aromatic complexity and integrate the tannins, before the final blending and bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of ripe black fruit , juicy plum , and black cherry , complemented by spicy touches of pepper and licorice , as well as subtle woody nuances of vanilla and toasted oak . More delicate accents of violet and sweet tobacco add complexity and depth. On the palate, the wine is full and velvety, supported by ripe yet structured tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, warm, and flavorful finish.

Australia began producing wine more than two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multigenerational winemaking families, and a deep-rooted knowledge and respect for craftsmanship. Add to this a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude, and a diverse portfolio of 65 wine regions across a wide range of climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine nation. Australia burst onto the export scene in the 1980s and has since been offering the world vibrant, fruity, and exceptionally good-value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the history of Australian wine was dominated by examples of Shiraz, Grenache, and overly concentrated red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diverse range of high-quality Australian wines and regional wines that has always existed. Australian viticulture is concentrated primarily along the southern coastline where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, each centered around major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne, and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the fourth-largest exporter in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines throughout the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.