Description
In 1838 Karl Heinrich ‘Eduard’ Kalleske and his three siblings together with their parents Johann Georg and Johanne Dorothea migrated from Prussia. They landed in the newly established colony of South Australia and in 1853 they settled at Greenock in the North-Western Barossa Valley and established our Kalleske farm. Eduard and his wife Anna ‘Rosina’ worked the Kalleske vineyard until the 1880s when their son took over the reins.
Today, six generations later those old vines are still prospering, thanks to the foresight and hard work of our ancestors. We dedicate this wine to Eduard which is from a selection of old vine Shiraz vineyards planted on our Kalleske property between 1905 to 1971. Hand winemaking and two years maturation has resulted in a stunning old vine wine destined for long term cellaring.
Growing Season
Vintage 2021 was an exemplary year with fine wines and good yields. Growing season rainfall was marginally below average and temperatures were mild ensuring vine canopies remained healthy. Vintage weather was absolutely perfect throughout, with dry mild-warm days and cool nights ensuring even and steady ripening across all varieties. There is strong colour and flavour across all the reds along with excellent structure and balance whilst the whites are bright, fresh and elegant.
Vineyard
Eduard is sourced from three vineyard blocks on the Kalleske property that were planted between 1905 and 1971, Vines are dry grown and produce low yields. The soil is sandy loam with excellent clay subsoil.
Winemaking
The old Shiraz vines were harvested on March 7th and March 19th and the grapes destemmed into small open top fermenters. The grapes were fermented for 8-11 days on skins where hand pumpovers were employed twice daily. The must was traditionally pressed and immediately filled to new and seasoned French & American oak hogsheads where it completed fermentation. The wine was matured for two years prior to bottling.
Tasting Notes
Colour:
2021 Eduard Shiraz is dark black with a dense purple rim.
Aroma:
Aromatically it is evidently charming and effusing classic old vine Shiraz. There are expressive notes of ripe blackberry, stewed plums, tiramisu, cedar polish, smoked meats, and nutty oak.
Palate:
The full-bodied palate is hefty and very concentrated with inky dark fruits. Substantial tannins give a chewy structure and light grip to counter the plush richness. Perfectly balanced acidity keeps it fresh with bright elevated flavours. There is visible mocha oak giving another supporting layer behind the immense ripe fruit. The finish is extensive in weight and length.
Recommended Drinking:
Eduard can be enjoyed now but will graciously reward cellaring for a decade or more.