MALBEC 2005
Malbec is one of the grape varities of Bordeaux complimenting Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc and Merlot. In France it is rarely made as a straight varietal but adds great fruit flavours to Bordeaux blends. In Australia much the same practice is followed as in France but some producers make a straight varietal which can have intense flavours. Mendoza in Argentina at the foot of the Andes is the home of great MALBECS. Wines produced here have great fruit flavours with a robust structure and finish. Reasons for the difference from France are unclear though it is possible that warm to hot days with cool nights produce the intensity of flavours but maintain the structure. The day night temperature differential is close to 20 C. Malbec has been produced at Mount Charlie since 2004. The first vintage from 3 year old vines had finesse but lacked intensity. The 2005 now bottled and the 2006 in barrel have great fruit flavours and excellent structure.

The 2005 MALBEC is an intense dark ruby coloured wine.It has an aroma and taste of brambles,plums and mulberry. The structure is full due to a balance of acid and tannins. The tannins are muscular and at present intrusive. The wine has a dry persistent finish. A short time of bottle age will soften the tannins and make it an outstanding MALBEC which should have a life of at least 10 years.

TEMPARANILLO 2005
Temparanillo is the great red wine grape of Spain. In Rioja in the north and Albero de Duro it produces elegant fruit driven wines. In the south it produces intense tannic wines.The wine produced at Mount Charlie is a wine with the elegance of Pinot but with the body of Shiraz. The 2005 Temparanillo is the first production and is from 3 year old vines.

This is a brilliant, deep, purple violet coloured wine. It has a bouquet of dark cherries with spicy overtones tempered by oaky and vanillin flavours. It is mouth pleasing with a great balance of fruit, acid and tannins. It has an elegant structure but is full bodied and finishes with great length. A wine that can be enjoyed now but will be even better with 2 to 3 years of bottle age and will last for at least 10 years.

The wine has been made in limited quantities and the production will never exceed 100 cases. It can be purchased at the cellar door or by mail order.

SHIRAZ MERLOT 2005
The way most people make a blended wine is by growing the grapes separately, making the wine separately and then blending the finished wines. Mount Charlie Shiraz Merlot is made in a different way. The vineyard plantings of Shiraz and Merlot are intermingled and are picked together. The proportions of vines are approximately equal but the contribution of each variety will depend upon the cropping level of each variety which will vary from year to year. There is also a small amount of cabernet which contributes to the wine. This system is demanding to obtain the appropriate ripeness with maintenance of acid but the combination usually comes out right. The wine is made by open fermentation with 6 hour plunging followed by airbag pressing. Due to the cool climate and the airbag pressing the wine produced is soft without excessive tannins but it has a long life due to the acid content.

The 2005 vintage came from a warm, relatively dry year. The wine has a bright ruby colour with a bouquet that includes cherries and raspberries. There are spicy herbaceous flavours with peppery characteristics. The American and French oak contributes cedary and vanillin flavours. It has a soft, full bodied mouth feel with a good middle palate followed by a smooth but firm and long finish. It will become even better with bottle age and continue drinking for at least 10 years.

CHARDONNAY 2005
The wine was entered in the Concurs de Vin conducted by the French Chamber of Commerce. It was 7th , out of 68 chardonnay from across Victoria