Description
Zeitgeist: the spirit of the time; general trend or characteristic of a particular period in time.
Zeitgeist Shiraz… Diverse selection of Shiraz from Kalleske farm… untouched by time, oak or non-grape additives… capturing the spirit and character of vintage 2023.
By definition, each ‘vintage’ is unique. Rainfall, sunshine, temperature, wind, humidity all vary dramatically from year to year. The beauty of vines is that they characteristically reflect the season in their fruit. Traditional winemaking of maturing wine in oak barrels over time can result in the bright, fresh, unique characteristics of the vintage being less evident.
Hence, Zeitgeist has been bottled to showcase the 2023 vintage in all its primary vibrant glory. It is a cross section of multiple Shiraz blocks of the Kalleske family vineyard, ensuring a solid representation of the true character of the vintage.
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 Kalleske vineyard is a diverse mix of 120 acres of vines spread over the 500 acre farm. Shiraz dominates the plantings and multiple Shiraz blocks spanning from 1905 to 1998 were blended to make this wine. Shiraz from these blocks will go into the usual Kalleske Eduard, Greenock, Moppa and Clarry’s wines. All Shiraz vines are low yielding and soils are typically shallow sand with excellent clay subsoil.
Winemaking
The Shiraz blocks were harvested over numerous weeks from April 3rd through to May 4th. Each batch was separately destemmed into an open top fermenter where it was native yeast fermented for 7-12 days on skins with hand pump-overs employed twice daily. The musts were pressed and a portion of each lot was set aside in stainless tank to create this Zeitgeist blend. Following natural malolactic fermentation and settling, the young wine was bottled forthwith, without sulphur dioxide, to capture the vibrancy and primacy of the vintage.
Tasting Notes
Colour:
2023 Zeitgeist Shiraz is deep inky purple in colour.
Aroma:
It has vivid aromatics of fresh ripe grapes, plum jam, VP, clove spice, raisins, violets, and liquorice. It’s bright, primal, and attractive with intense dark fruits.
Palate:
These black and blue fruits, including blackcurrant, plum and blueberry, are in full force on the richly flavoured full-bodied palate. There is also pepper and spice, accurately reflecting the vintage. Tannins are lightly grippy adding to the pleasant structure and continuing to give a long dry finish.
Recommended Drinking:
With its lashings of fruit and radiant purity, Zeitgeist is best enjoyed now with its primal characters.