Kaesler Icons:
New Vintage Release
As agents for Kaesler in the UK, we are delighted to present the latest vintages of their collection of 'Icon' wines. Established in Barossa in 1893 when the Kaesler family first planted vines, they have since become one of the area's greatest names and most loyal champions. A James Halliday 5-star winery, the winemaking team consistently produce wines rated over 90 points by industry peers and publications.
Winemaking is now overseen by Tim Dolan, who joined from Peter Lehmann in 2022 . Tim is a third generation Barossa winemaker, who understands the importance of regenerative farming. Tim and the vineyard managers regularly monitor soil health and pursue natural means of soil care and protection. Estate-produced and local compost is used in the vineyards in combination with natural enhancers and mulch.
Classified as "Outstanding" by Langtons with its rich and intense fruit style, the 'Old Bastard' Shiraz paved the way for Kaesler's success. A string of highly celebrated wines followed suit, including the 'Alte Reben' and 'Old Vine' Shiraz and the infamous 'Bogan' Shiraz.
"A masterclass in richness and restraint, these new releases from Kaesler once again prove that heritage and modern precision can share the same bottle" - Maggie MacPherson, Jeroboams Group Buyer
These wines are now on the water from Australia but you can purchase now In Bond, by following the links below. If you have any questions about buying wine in bond, contact our sales team here, and they will be happy to assist.
Start your year with some critic-approved winners and explore the Kaesler range today.
Our Thoughts
Old Bastard 2021
The winter leading into the growing season saw a number of small rain events, but nothing substantial and definitely not enough to push the moisture deep into the soil profile. October, November and December saw incredibly high temperatures (and much of Australia caught fire) so Kaesler had to manage water very carefully. This intense heat had an impact on the grape quantity with below average yields. Fortunately, with a cooler February and some good rains, the resulting quality was excellent .
The Kaesler 'Old Bastard' Barossa Shiraz is arguably one of Australia's most highly regarded wines. The name refers to a small number of 'old bastards' - gnarly old bush vines planted in 1893, which form the heart of the Kaesler brand. Hand harvested in the early morning of March 9th after a 'perfect' ripening season, the grapes were immediately de-stemmed and fermented on skins for seven days, with twice daily remontage. After pressing and subsequent settling, the wine was aged in 50% new French oak for 18 months, prior to bottling in March of 2023.
"Old Bastard has never been in better form than this 2021 vintage. It positively glows in the glass, and while it appears oil-rig-black and menacing, it is in fact incredibly luxurious, silky, sooty and invigorating. The nose is as complex and the most ostentatious of florists with an infinite combination of blues, blacks, reds and purples. This is the only wine that sets out its oak stall like a Venetian woodturner. Tighter oak, with less toast, brings more expression and more tension. And then the earth opens, and you fall headlong into a chasm of dramatic and elemental darkness that makes the heart pump faster. The texture and flow are more melodic than I have ever experienced in this wine... This is a seriously triumphant and, alongside the other wines, it marks a massive turning point for this skyrocketing estate." Matthew Jukes 19.5/20
"From one of the greatest Barossa vintages in this thoroughly beautiful Shiraz sourced from vines planted back in the late nineteenth century. The colour is quite brilliant with red garnet and bright purple hues pointing to its vibrancy and youthful exuberance. Perfumed cherry and plummy notes with a lovely underlay of damp, earthy and smooth creamy chocolate. The palate intensity is extraordinary, yet it is effortless and almost light in touch. A glorious statement of the Barossa in a great year." Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot, 98 Points.
x6 75cl bottles: £450 In bond
Alte Reben 2020
German for 'Old Vines' - this sophisticated shiraz comes from vines over 125 years old. Produced from Kaesler's Marananga Estate from dry-grown vines planted in 1899 . The fruit was handpicked and left on the skins for 7 days. During this time, the wine was pumped over gently twice a day. This wine was matured in 40% new and 60% used French Oak puncheons for 15 months.
"This wine is buffed up and turned out in its Sunday best, with luxurious, pliable velvety fruit and a more voluminous stance on the palate than any of the preceding wines. With black, blue and gleamingly bright red flavours, this is an extraordinary wine that confounds the fact that 2020 was an extremely difficult vintage. Generous, cinnamon-spiked, summer pudding, soaked and minutes long. This is a heavenly wine with an entirely civilised gait and demeanour." Matthew Jukes 19/20
x6 75cl bottles: £245 In Bond
Old Vines Shiraz 2021
A blend of three incredible Kaesler estate “old” estate grown vineyards planted in 1961 and 1965 and located around the winery. This wine was matured in a combination of new and seasoned French oak puncheons for 16 months. The Old Vine Shiraz is elegant, balanced, and complex; the hallmarks of Kaesler Shiraz, with rich, black fruits and delicate tannins.
"Three old vineyards on the estate provide the mother lode for this super Shiraz. So dense and concentrated yet with a velvety subtlety. Aromas of powerful plummy black fruits, dark chocolate and licorice with an ethereal lift of lavender. The palate is elegantly medium weight, but packs plenty into its elegant frame. Rich and opulent but refined and stylish." Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot, 97 Points
"I've got to say, the 2021 releases from Kaesler are pretty snazzy across the board. The Old Vine Shiraz, sourced from three vineyards, is plush, opulent and packed with spicy blackberry and plum fruits cut with fruitcake spice, earth, licorice and dark chocolate. Despite the concentration, there is a fine seam of bright acidity providing propulsion, tight, fine sandy tannins and a sense of brightness on the persistent finish." Halliday Wine Companion, 94 points
x6 75cl bottles: £125 In Bond
Age of Light 2021
“This wine is a symphony of cherries and plums with ravishing silkiness and lightness of touch. This wine’s name has never been more accurate nor its flavour more compelling.” - Matthew Jukes, matthewjukes.com
Age of Light refers to Kaesler's best parcel of Cabernet Sauvignon and only produced in vintages the winemakers determine worthy of the label. Made in extremely limited quantities, this wine was aged in the best barriques from Bordeaux for 18 months prior to bottling. The 2021 Age of Light comes from the "Kids Cabernet" block, situated directly behind the winery. This tiny parcel was planted in 2017 using clones 169 &337 and is limited to just 120 dozen.
"Nowadays, this wine comes entirely from the Kid’s Vineyard, and with forensic attention paid to the barrels used, which are the result of an intense three-year trial, every chapter of this wine’s story has been fine-tuned. Early picking and great barrels result in cosmic flavours which come in at 12% – 12.5% alcohol, some two degrees fitter than the old days. Accordingly, this wine is a symphony of cherries and plums with ravishing silkiness and lightness of touch. This wine’s name has never been more accurate nor its flavour more compelling." Matthew Jukes 18.5/20
"Here is a slightly different take on Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s based on estate grown clones 169 and 337, so lower in alcohol with more bright high energy red fruits evident on both the nose and palate. This was an excellent vintage in the Barossa and as a result Cabernet is a bright light, both seamless and beautifully integrated. It’s intense yet it delivers with medium body with a light dusty overall that complements nicely. Outstanding alternative style." Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot 97 Points
"Cabernet sauvignon from directly behind the Kaesler winery just outside of Nuriootpa; matured in French barrique (30% new) for 18 months. A cassis-laden, fruit pure and graceful expression with layers of spice, dried herbs, morello cherry, briar, violets and earth. There is latent power, but also a fine elegance within a powdery tannin framework and a real sense of vitality and verve as it sails across the palate. Lots of upside on the cellar front here." Halliday Wine Companion 95 Points
x6 75cl bottles: £300 In Bond
The Fave 2023
Due to La Nina conditions, the Barossa region experienced one of its wettest & coolest springs. This resulted in delayed budburst, affected ripening and picking decisions, and meant vintage was three-four weeks later than usual. Although the season was challenging, Kaesler's ongoing regenerative farming techniques have built resilient vines that continue to produce outstanding fruit. This was evident in the 2023 vintage which resulted in wines of elegance and structure with depth and length of flavour.
Kaesler have several Grenache vineyards that really perform on their own from time to time, and the single vineyard 'The Fave' seems to excel more years than not. For the first week (sometimes longer), the juice is left to rest, slowly kicking off carbonic maceration. Then things get busy. Over the next 5 to 7 days, it's all about supporting the yeast - pigeage (punch downs), remontage (pump-overs), whatever's required. After that, it's gently pressed to tank, then racked into seasoned 500L puncheons (three-and four-year-old oak) to rest and evolve).
"This wine was inspired by a vintage in Priorat. It's 100% whole bunch, and made with all-natural yeasts. Old oak puncheone cradle this wine without making it with carpentry. 2023 was a cool, wet year, and full grass cover helped to buffer the wet season. The vines were planted in the 1930s, so this vineyard has seen it all before! The aim here is to harvest larger, open bunches with ripe stalks and natural balance. The result is a cool, smooth, pure and pristine Grenache, made in the same manner as a Pinot. Slippery, seductive and delicious, don't hang around, drink it now, while the energy and vivacity are at their peak!" 18/20 Matthew Jukes
"Circa -1930-planted grenache from the Kaesler estate showing some nice bunchy lift and a purely formed fruit profile of red plum and dark cherry fruits, sheathed in gingery spice and hints of cola, sarsaparilla, pressed flowers and earth. The finish here is savoury and spicy, the tannins fine, sandy and long with a pleasing energetic stance as the wine trails away". Halliday Wine Companion 95 points.
x6 75cl bottles: £140 In Bond
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