Charles Melton "Rose of Virginia" 2006

[Lincoln]

In past years this was a staple beverage for the 6 months that we in Brisbane call summer. But we dropped the baton for a couple of years, so this is my first "Rose of Virginia" for quite a while.

A vibrant pinky red, and my memory might be failing, but the the colour is stronger than I remember. The nose is hugely perfumed – I could smell it when the glass was two feet away: strawberry compote and glace cherries, lightly spiced, very inviting. The palate shows light red cherries and raspberries, some sugared roundness but with a streak of acid too. It is clean and balanced, with a bit of spice, a bit of sugar and a bit of acid, lightly and refreshingly flavoured. It finishes dryly. Impressive stuff – a beautiful Rosé – well worth a try if you see it about.

92 points

[Mahmoud Ali]

Yes, that Rose of Virginia is a wonderful wine. It is most likely the best rose made in Australia. I last tasted it at Wine Austraslia 2006 here in Sydney though I can't remember if it was the 2005 or 2006. In 2001 when my partner and I were driving around South Australia we came across a drive-through bottle shop in the McLaren Vale that had six bottles of 1998 Rose of Virginia in the refrigerator. We took a bottle back to the camp ground and had it with our supper. The wine was a delicate salmon pink and quite fragrant, however the palate was quite meaty and went very well with the food (I don't remember). I seem to remember thinking that it was likely to be a grenache based wine with cabernet or shiraz blended in. It even had sediment! Naturally we went back and bought the remaining bottles, for something under $10 a bottle. For curiosity's sake we kept a bottle and took it home to Canada where we have been meaning to drink it but somehow never got around to it. Perhaps it will end up in a 10-year retrospective with some other 1998 wines. One can only hope.......

Mahmoud.

[rwatkins]

We have the 2005 here in Canada and we received only two cases. It is harder to get than the Nine Popes!! It is without a doubt the besr rose I have ever had. Also the darkest in color, almost Pinot-like in color. Well worth the $22 Canadian.

[Lincoln]

We have the 2005 here in Canada and we received only two cases. It is harder to get than the Nine Popes!! It is without a doubt the besr rose I have ever had. Also the darkest in color, almost Pinot-like in color. Well worth the $22 Canadian.

I haven't tried the '05, but I believe Gary W has, and he liked it too. I think the '06 will be well worth persuing when it arrives in Canada.