Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz 2021
Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz 2021 is a dry, full-bodied red from Syrah (Barossa Valley, Australia), in the full, structured reds style. Tannins are firm and acidity moderate; oak influence is some. Good with lamb, beef stew, steak, venison. Drink now or within 20 years (to about 2041). Decant for about 1 hour. Sustainable farming is mentioned by the merchant. Critic score 97/100 (merchant-reported).
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cote Rotie Les Jumelles Jaboulet 1997 Paul Jaboulet Aîné · Rhône | £109.00 | |||
| John Duval Eligo 2015 John Duval Wines · South Australia | £109.00 | |||
| St Joseph Rouge Pierre Gonon 2023 Pierre Gonon · Rhône | £109.00 | |||
| Penfolds St Henri 2021 Penfolds · South Australia | £103.00 |
Drink now or cellar for up to 20 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. The pioneering Kaesler family first settled in the Barossa Valley in the 1840s and by 1893 they had planted their first vines here. Now, generations later, it is these ancient original vines which have helped put the estate on the map for top quality Shiraz. The current owners practice regenerative farming throughout the estate, a philosophy they consider to be a step beyond sustainable agriculture since it aims to leave the land better than they found it. Old Bastard is the family’s flagship cuvee that’s named in honour of those old gnarly vines which produce the intensely concentrated fruit used for this wine. The grapes are handpicked to ensure quality in the early hours of the morning before it gets too hot. They are then vinified according to the family’s secretive winemaking methods using innovative techniques to create their impressive range of top quality Shiraz wines. The final step is a lengthy maturation period in new and used French oak barrels, adding enticing smoky and spicy notes to the solid core of luscious dark fruit. On the palate there’s a generous full body, firm tannins, and a long finish seasoned with toast, woodsmoke, cedar, and crushed wild berries.