Description
Happy 21st birthday to Old Vine Grenache!
Well, not to the vineyard, as that is 88 years old, but to the wine that originates from these old vines. First made in our inaugural 2002 vintage, we are delighted to release this 21st bottling of Old Vine Grenache from the 2022 vintage.
Kalleske Old Vine Grenache is made from a low yielding, single vineyard planted in 1935 on our Kalleske estate. Situated on the outskirts of Greenock in the North-Western Barossa Valley, the Kalleske’s have been farming this property for over 160 years and the vineyard is now tended by sixth and seventh generation family members.
Following the picking of these dry-grown Grenache grapes, they were fermented in open fermenters and then gently pressed in our estate winery. The wine was matured in seasoned oak hogsheads giving a complex Grenache wine, which will benefit from cellaring.
Growing Season
The 2022 vintage was excellent. Winter was significantly wetter than average getting the vines off to a brilliant start leading into Spring which was cool with median rainfall. Summer was mild and dry apart from rain on the last day. Autumn remained mild with generally perfect mid-20s weather combined with cool nights ensuring steady even ripening across all varieties. The 2022 yields were good, and the quality is great, a classic Barossa vintage displaying rich flavours with fine balance.
Vineyard
Old Vine Grenache is made from a vineyard planted in 1935 as bush vines on the Kalleske farm. The vineyard soil is shallow sand with light clay subsoil and the grapes are entirely dry-grown ensuring intensely flavoured fruit.
Winemaking
Following hand picking on April 21st, grapes were destemmed into an open-top fermenter. The must was fermented using native yeast and the fermenting juice was pumped over twice daily for flavour and colour extraction for the 8-day fermentation. The must was then traditionally pressed and filled to barrel. The wine was matured in seasoned American and French oak hogsheads for a year prior to bottling.
Tasting Notes
Apperance:
Deep purple-red.
Aroma:
Super bright, lifted, captivating. Floral perfume, ripe raspberry, cherry-ripe, liquorice, clove spice, glacé fruit.
Palate:
Full, flavoursome. Juicy red, black fruits, plush. Defined tannins, neat backbone. Varietal purity. Outstanding length. Harmonious, varietally true.
Recommended Drinking:
This distinguished Grenache drinks well now but can equally be cellared for 5-10 years.