Rob Geddes talks about our 2010 Kalleske Johann Georg Shiraz & 2010 Kalleske Eduard Shiraz
Vintage about to begin...
Vintage is almost upon us. At the moment we're wondering through the numerous blocks assessing flavour and sweetness for optimum maturity. Pictured are Chenin Blanc, still about a week away from harvest.... Troy Kalleske.
Almost Vintage
Well, it’s the 1st of February, holiday season well and truly over and almost time for vintage. The start to vintage 2013 is now only about 2 weeks away with the Chenin Blanc and first of the Shiraz likely to be harvested mid February. This is about 2-3 weeks earlier than normal due to the extreme drought we've experienced in the past 9 months.
The vintage 2013 winter and growing season has been about 50% drier than normal and it has also been warmer too. This has resulted in very low crop levels on the vine and as a result earlier ripening. So quantity will be down, however, quality at this stage is looking sensational. Berries are very small giving a high skin to juice ratio and hence excellent colour and flavour intensity. We'll ultimately only know in the next few months but so far looking good for some stunning wines from 2013 - Troy Kalleske.
The vintage 2013 winter and growing season has been about 50% drier than normal and it has also been warmer too. This has resulted in very low crop levels on the vine and as a result earlier ripening. So quantity will be down, however, quality at this stage is looking sensational. Berries are very small giving a high skin to juice ratio and hence excellent colour and flavour intensity. We'll ultimately only know in the next few months but so far looking good for some stunning wines from 2013 - Troy Kalleske.
Vintage 2011 - A Few Words
In our
Autumn/Winter Newsletter (via our website) we highlighted an article from Wine Enthusiast
praising the value of vintage variation: “Let’s honour each wine’s
terroir by allowing a new vintage to express itself as naturally as possible”. As a natural organic/biodynamic producer that
is entirely our philosophy.
In many parts of Australia, including the Barossa, Vintage 2011 was extremely wet and much cooler than normal. Many vineyards were affected with mildew and botrytis rot and much fruit was left unharvested. The different weather resulted in an atypical year with many producers and journalists writing 2011 off as an inferior vintage.
However, you cannot paint an entire region with the same brush and the diversity of the Barossa has meant that some brilliant wines have still come out of 2011. Our vineyard location in the North-Western Barossa (most North-Westerly vineyard & winery in the Barossa) combined with our organic/biodynamic farming techniques meant we could harvest all of our fruit, at optimum maturity and make very good wines. The wines certainly display the coolness of the vintage with more pepper, spice and florals than normal but they are still weighty, mouthfilling, flavoursome and well structured.
We are certainly pleased with our 2011 wines that have been released to date, including the reds we are currently releasing now as well as the old vine wines still maturing in barrel.
We have had some excellent third party endorsements of our 2011 wines from wine shows and critics.
Highlights include the 2011 Clarry’s GSM gaining three major trophies at the International Wine Challenge in London, as well as a Gold Medal in Canada and at the Barossa Wine Show.
James Halliday gave it 5 stars and had this to say: "It is a real surprise packet, its energy and fresh red fruit drive coming from the low alcohol; if ever there was proof that biodynamics can help vines weather the storm of incessant rain, this is it".
Tyson Stelzer also thought highly of it saying" “this blend has every right to a much higher price tag. The cool 2011 season makes for a particularly sophisticated Clarry’s, accented with fresh rhubarb, pepper and bay leaf. A fine, savoury tannin chassis promises unusual longevity”.
The 2011 Moppa Shiraz, just getting released was acknowledged highly with a Gold Medal at the recent New Zealand International Wine Show.
Nick Stock rated the 2011 Rosina as a ‘Best Value Wine’ in the Good Wine Guide 2012 and described it as “terrific”. He also rated the 2011 Florentine at 91 points and thought it was “bright, really tidy and composed”.
Our 2011 Buckboard Durif was chosen as the ‘People’s Choice Award’ for the Marananga Wine Show.
Louise Radman loved the 2011 Florentine: “This example from Kalleske is an absolute cracker”.
2011 is a unique vintage that’s produced diverse wines across the Barossa and Australia, some excellent wines amongst them. At Kalleske we strive for our wines to embrace the time (vintage) and place (vineyard) and that’s again what we've achieved in 2011 and we’re thrilled with the outcome, but we invite you to be the judge…
In many parts of Australia, including the Barossa, Vintage 2011 was extremely wet and much cooler than normal. Many vineyards were affected with mildew and botrytis rot and much fruit was left unharvested. The different weather resulted in an atypical year with many producers and journalists writing 2011 off as an inferior vintage.
However, you cannot paint an entire region with the same brush and the diversity of the Barossa has meant that some brilliant wines have still come out of 2011. Our vineyard location in the North-Western Barossa (most North-Westerly vineyard & winery in the Barossa) combined with our organic/biodynamic farming techniques meant we could harvest all of our fruit, at optimum maturity and make very good wines. The wines certainly display the coolness of the vintage with more pepper, spice and florals than normal but they are still weighty, mouthfilling, flavoursome and well structured.
We are certainly pleased with our 2011 wines that have been released to date, including the reds we are currently releasing now as well as the old vine wines still maturing in barrel.
We have had some excellent third party endorsements of our 2011 wines from wine shows and critics.
Highlights include the 2011 Clarry’s GSM gaining three major trophies at the International Wine Challenge in London, as well as a Gold Medal in Canada and at the Barossa Wine Show.
James Halliday gave it 5 stars and had this to say: "It is a real surprise packet, its energy and fresh red fruit drive coming from the low alcohol; if ever there was proof that biodynamics can help vines weather the storm of incessant rain, this is it".
Tyson Stelzer also thought highly of it saying" “this blend has every right to a much higher price tag. The cool 2011 season makes for a particularly sophisticated Clarry’s, accented with fresh rhubarb, pepper and bay leaf. A fine, savoury tannin chassis promises unusual longevity”.
The 2011 Moppa Shiraz, just getting released was acknowledged highly with a Gold Medal at the recent New Zealand International Wine Show.
Nick Stock rated the 2011 Rosina as a ‘Best Value Wine’ in the Good Wine Guide 2012 and described it as “terrific”. He also rated the 2011 Florentine at 91 points and thought it was “bright, really tidy and composed”.
Our 2011 Buckboard Durif was chosen as the ‘People’s Choice Award’ for the Marananga Wine Show.
Louise Radman loved the 2011 Florentine: “This example from Kalleske is an absolute cracker”.
2011 is a unique vintage that’s produced diverse wines across the Barossa and Australia, some excellent wines amongst them. At Kalleske we strive for our wines to embrace the time (vintage) and place (vineyard) and that’s again what we've achieved in 2011 and we’re thrilled with the outcome, but we invite you to be the judge…
2012 Kalleske Rosina Rosé Sample
Troy sampling the 'Future' 2012 Rosina Rosé #1
Troy sampling the 'Future' 2012 Rosina Rosé #3
Kalleske Winery - Vintage 2012 in actionKalleske Johann Georg Shiraz - Review
A nice review of our 2009 Kalleske Johann Georg Shiraz from Campbell Mattinson at 'The Wine Front'
94 Points
"A single vineyard wine, made from vines that were planted in 1875. Grown biodynamically too. Controlled might and power. Dark pitch of weighty, blackberried fruit. Sweet raisins, Christmas cake, malt, toast and raspberry. Has both a brightness and a heaviness. A sensation of both galore-is-more, and tight control. Fruity and flavoursome on the finish. Warm with alcohol but not over the top. Length, polish, and more.”
Drink: 2015 - 2022+
"A single vineyard wine, made from vines that were planted in 1875. Grown biodynamically too. Controlled might and power. Dark pitch of weighty, blackberried fruit. Sweet raisins, Christmas cake, malt, toast and raspberry. Has both a brightness and a heaviness. A sensation of both galore-is-more, and tight control. Fruity and flavoursome on the finish. Warm with alcohol but not over the top. Length, polish, and more.”
Drink: 2015 - 2022+
The Inaugural 2010 Kalleske Dodger Tempranillo
Shiraz and Grenache have been the backbone of our Kalleske vineyard for over a century and for good reason with our red earth and temperate climate well suited to these varieties. For the same reason, Tempranillo is befitting to our property and we are delighted to release the inaugural Tempranillo from our Kalleske vineyard. Tempranillo originates from Spain, where it is often referred to as Spain’s “noble grape”. It has been grown there for many centuries and was first planted in Australia in 1908.
2010 Kalleske Dodger Tempranillo is medium red purple in colour. The aroma displays interesting complexity with rich fruits of blackcurrant and cherry combined with herbs, clove and nutmeg spice, tobacco, violets and a hint of earth. The palate is extremely alluring with a combination of sweet and savoury characters. It is medium to full bodied with fleshy fruit balanced by integrated chewy rustic tannins. The wine is well structured and harmonious. A lingering savoury finish completes a varietally true and flavoursome Tempranillo. Dodger can be enjoyed now or over the next eight years.
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A New Bottle for Kalleske
“After 158 years of growing grapes and 10 years of making wine, it is time for our wines to have their very own Kalleske bottle” - Tony & Troy Kalleske.
To see the new proprietary bottle click the links below
- 2009 Kalleske Johann George bottle
- 2010 Kalleske Greenock Shiraz bottle
Trophy: Shanghai International Wine Challenge
Winners are grinners, following a run of recent awards, our 2010 Kalleske Moppa Shiraz has taken out 'Best Wine of Show' receiving a Trophy at the recent 2011 Shanghai International Wine Challenge.
This win follows on from the 2009 Moppa's brilliant track record of winning Gold Medals at the prestigious London and Japan International Wine Challenges.
"Emanating from the glass is dark cherry, blond tobacco, fruit cake, blueberry, anise & a hint of cinnamon"
You be the judge - Try the 2010 Kalleske Moppa Shiraz today!
Order Online
This win follows on from the 2009 Moppa's brilliant track record of winning Gold Medals at the prestigious London and Japan International Wine Challenges.
"Emanating from the glass is dark cherry, blond tobacco, fruit cake, blueberry, anise & a hint of cinnamon"
You be the judge - Try the 2010 Kalleske Moppa Shiraz today!
Order Online
