Kalleske Old Vine Grenache 2017
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James
Suckling
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James Suckling
Blueberry and brambleberry essence intermingling with infusion of dried cranberries. Full body, round tannins and a juicy finish.
Other Vintages
2014-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
The vineyard is managed by Troy's father, fifth generation grapegrower, John Kalleske, who has over forty years experience tending the vineyard. The 100 acre vineyard is planted to Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Chenin Blanc. Vines vary in age with the oldest vineyard dating back to 1875 and an overall average vine age of about 50 years. The vineyard is low yielding and all grapes are grown organically.
There are five wines in the Kalleske range. Clarry’s Barossa White is a blend of Semillon and Chenin Blanc and its partner Clarry’s Barossa Red is a Grenache Shiraz blend. The Greenock Shiraz is a single vineyard wine, made from a superb Shiraz block on the Western edge of the Greenock Creek. The Old Vine Grenache is from a small dry-grown vineyard planted as bush vines on the Kalleske farm in 1935 and the Johann Georg Shiraz is made from a dry-grown vineyard planted on the farm in 1875.
All wines are estate grown and vinified with minimalistic winemaking techniques used to fully capture the essence of the vineyard allowing genuine hand made estate wines to be produced.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.