Description
Since the early 1900s, the ‘dodger’ has been indispensable in the vineyard. The vine dodger is a mechanical weeder that removes weeds from around the vines whilst dodging the vines themselves. In the early years the dodger was pulled by a horse and steered by hand and then in the 1960s the horse was replaced by a tractor. Fundamentally the dodger hasn’t changed much and today it is still used to naturally control the weeds in our vineyards.
Dodger Tempranillo is a single vineyard wine that’s been grown, vintaged and matured on our Kalleske property. Vigilant grape growing, traditional winemaking and maturation in seasoned French oak hogsheads has resulted in a sophisticated, medium bodied Tempranillo displaying classic structure and varietal expression typical of our Kalleske vineyard.
Growing Season
Vintage 2023 has produced exceptional wines. It was the longest and latest on record, stretching from mid-March to early-May. The vines got off to a superb start with a wet and cool Spring providing plenty of sub-soil moisture for the growing season ahead. Summer brought typically average temperatures and was generally dry with occasional finite rain. The vines were in fantastic condition for slow and steady ripening into Autumn with its mild days, cool nights, and isolated light rain. Yields from 2023 are good and quality is excellent.
Vineyard
The single-vineyard Dodger Tempranillo block is the newest variety on the Kalleske property. The hand-pruned vines are low-yielding and are grown in sandy loam soil with quartz and ironstone over deep red clay.
Winemaking
The grapes were picked on March 14th, 2023, and then destemmed into an open top fermenter. The must was wild-fermented for 8 days with pump-overs twice daily. After pressing off skins the Tempranillo was filled to seasoned French oak hogsheads where it underwent natural malolactic fermentation in barrel. Dodger matured in barrel for a year prior to bottling.
Tasting Notes
Colour:
2023 Dodger Tempranillo is mid ruby-red in colour.
Aroma:
The aroma is classic Tempranillo with red cherry, strawberry, garden herbs, rusty steel, boot polish, tomato bush and spice.
Palate:
The light-medium bodied palate gives a burst of tart cherry followed by chewy fruit leather richness. Natural grainy tannins give a solid backbone holding the mesh of red fruits, together with savoury notes of leather and forest. Bright fruits re-engage at the end providing a very lengthy finish. A dynamic and captivating wine.
Recommended Drinking:
Dodger can be enjoyed now or over the next eight years.