Wine That Makes Me Thirsty

Rob Geddes talks about our 2010 Kalleske Johann Georg Shiraz & 2010 Kalleske Eduard Shiraz

The Best of Barossa Valley's 2010 Shiraz

James Halliday has given our 2010 Johann Georg Shiraz a glowing review, which we should point out has just been released to order


The Best of Barossa Valley's 2010 Shiraz

Kalleske 2010 Johann Georg Shiraz
Rating: 96


"Dense purple-red; the grapes were hand-picked from the vineyard planted in 1875, the wine named to honour Johann Georg Kalleske, who arrived in SA in 1835. The yield of 1 tonne/hectare is obvious in this densely black-fruited wine, with its undercurrent of spicy, savoury, ripe tannins, the French and American oak integrated courtesy of the last phase of primary ferment carried out in barrel. Barossa Valley shiraz at its best" - Drink by: 2050
James Halliday

Hand-picking the 1875 Johann Georg Shiraz block

The other morning as the sun came up we picked our single vineyard Johann Georg Shiraz block, a small vineyard that was planted in 1875 by Johann himself.


John & Lorraine Kalleske 






James Halliday's 20 Great Reds


It's a great honour to have our 2009 Kalleske Johann Georg Shiraz selected by James Halliday in his '20 Great Reds' list in the current Wine Companion magazine. Here's a little of what Halliday had to say about the wine:

“From a single block of vines planted in 1875, and made in a very small quantity... It is very complex and intense, yet little more than medium-bodied, having a tapestry of aromas and flavours similar to Eduard, with great length. How great will the ‘10 be?” - James Halliday, Wine Companion June/July 2012

Top Dollar for Kalleske Shiraz Worth Every Cent

It was a real delight to read an article (included below) written by Mike Burnett in the Launceston Examiner today.

Top dollar for Kalleske shiraz worth every cent
Approaching a wine worth three figures could be likened to watching a batsman as they move towards 100. For most people there is a little anticipation and the worry that the wine, like a batsman, might fall short of the mark. Although these days there are plenty of Australian wines worth more than $100, it is still a big decision for most wine buyers.

While wines lower down the price scale can be more easily weighed up for value, it is far more difficult to attach that term to a wine of $100 or more. That judgment can only be made by the individual. What can be looked at is the wine's quality and pedigree.

In that area the 2009 Kalleske Johann Georg Shiraz, which weighs in at a retail price of about $100, makes the cut. There is no question this is a very classy wine from the internationally recognised shiraz region, South Australia's Barossa Valley.

As for the pedigree side, the Kalleske family has been involved in the production of wine for nearly 160 years. Although it has only been involved in the winemaking side of the operation for a decade, the family's fruit made its way into various vintages of Australia's benchmark Penfolds Grange.

The Kalleske label has been one of the emerging stars of Australian wine and the Johann Georg Shiraz shines brightly at the top of an impressive line-up of wines. The wine comes from the vineyard of the same name, which has vines dating back to 1875. After hand picking, the wine was given two years in French and American oak before bottling. The dark purple to black colour reflects the red and black fruits that emerge on the nose through to the palate. The same path is taken by cedar and spice. The wine is full and complex, with fine but firm integrated tannins that promise to soften further with time in the cellar.

To keep the cricket analogy rolling, Kalleske also has some solid contributors down the order. The Australian organically certified producer has also released its 2009 Eduard Shiraz ($85), 2009 Old Vine Grenache ($45), 2010 Greenock Shiraz ($38) and 2010 Dodger Tempranillo.

The Eduard comes from vines planted between 1905 and 1960, and more than likely would have tasters who would favour it over the Johann Georg. It probably does not have the broad flavours of the higher-price wine, but that does not make it any less attractive with its plum and berry fruit having concentrated power.

In the Old Vine Grenache and the Dodger Tempranillo, Kalleske offers an excellent mix of the old and new. Grenache is a great old Barossa variety that is wonderful with many Asian dishes, while tempranillo is an in variety in Europe and is growing in popularity in this country.

In many company ranges, the Greenock Shiraz would be the top wine.

That illustrates how powerful this line-up is”.

Mike Burnett,
Launceston Examiner, 
 13/02/2012

Kalleske 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+