2021 Grains of Paradise Barossa Valley Shiraz, Charles Melton

• Style: Ripe, structured Barossa Shiraz
• Taste: Dark plum, red cherry, savoury meat and herb spine
• Food: Beef, game, grilled dishes, aged cheese
• Occasion: Date night, gifting, cellar worthy
• Serve: 14–16°C, now or age 3–5 years

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Dark plum and red cherry lead, framed by savoury meat and herb undertones. The palate is broad and velvety, built on soft tannins that provide structure without grip. Twenty-eight months in mostly older American oak adds texture and weight while respecting the fruit's natural expression. At 14.5% ABV and bone dry, it balances immediate drinking appeal with the acidity and tannin profile to hold for several years.

The Winery — Charles Melton

Charlie Melton was among the first Barossa growers to recognise the heritage value of old-vine Shiraz when others were pulling them up for fashion. Since 1984, he and his small circle of winemakers convinced regional farmers to preserve these historic vineyards. Today his daughter Sophie, a gifted winemaker, works beside him. The house is now a benchmark for regional authenticity. The 2021 fruit comes largely from a 1927-planted vineyard at Rowland Flat, whose clay-loam soils provide structure, plus parcels from the Kirche vineyard in Krondorf—a mixed sandy and red-clay site named for the Lutheran church it surrounds. Gentle extraction, no fining or filtration: the winemaking honours what each site offers.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is the Barossa Shiraz you reach for when you want ripe fruit, generous structure and no apology. Grilled or roasted beef, game birds, stews and braises, roast dinners—these are its natural companions. Pair with aged hard cheese or a proper charcuterie board. If you've gravitated towards Syrah & Shiraz elsewhere, this sits comfortably in that conversation: riper and rounder than cooler-climate versions, yet far from the heavy jammy stereotype some wrongly attach to the region. Serve at 14–16°C. Vegetarian and vegan friendly. Explore more of our Australia selection, and you'll see why Barossa Valley remains a cornerstone of modern wine culture.