2008 Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz, Barossa Valley
The 2008 Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz. It noses a classic Barossa shiraz profile(dark fruit, peppery spice, liquorice, tar, mint). The structured palate gives straightforward plum and dark cherry fruit, almost brandy like with its 15.5% alcohol(from a hot year). With a medium finish, 2008 is supple and smooth. Old Vine Shiraz is from old vines, and this vintage 2008 is from an assembly of three parcels of old Shiraz vines blocks aged 53, 49 and 29 years old from 3 different soil types, thus the classic complexities.
Representing a different and subtle style when compared to its older brothers, The Bogan and Old Bastard Shiraz, Old Vines is hand-harvested fruit very early in the morning before heating up by the sun, hence the elegance. Using a relatively short skin contact and raised in French oak( 30% new French oak and the remainder in 1 and 2-year-old French oak), it is racked only twice over two years' wood ageing. It is regularly topped with no filtration, therefore the purity and balance more than mere power.
Old Bastard is undeniably the flagship of Kaesler. However, many wine connaisseurs consider Old Vines much superior to Bogan regarding stylistics and fruit quality.
JAMES HALLIDAY 94 POINTS! "Vivid purple hue; a very ripe and full-throttle example of the region, loaded with black fruits, tar and licorice; the palate is densely packed with tannins and dark fruits, and while at the big end of town, finishes with a light touch; holds its alcohol with ease."
