The Father in Law is a block of Clare Valley vines, originally acquired to keep Mrs Melton's dad busy after retirement. This superior parcel of Shiraz from Syd Weckert's (the father in law) site, is enhanced by a harvest of choice Barossa fruit. Solidly structured, generously proportioned yet highly elegant, Father in Law displays the sweet berry floral perfumes of Valley Clare, well supported by the dark chocolate and merry spice that's characteristic of all things Barossa.
Father in law is treated to the traditional Charles Melton retinue, whole bunches, de-stemmed but uncrushed fruit, cap management and daily pumpovers throughout. Batches are pressed off just prior to dryness into a selection of seasoned oak barriques for an extended term of twenty months on lees to infuse flavour and build richness.
Bright, opaque scarlet colour. Sweet spicy almost Christmas plum pudding scent, rich and warm. Rich, plump mid palate with savoury flavours, characters of rhubarb and ham, sleek tannins that glide across the palate. Full but not overly big, showing the Clare Valley linear structure, openness, generosity, warmth, the perfect red for gourmet sausages, barbeques and meats.
