The Old Bastard Shiraz is the essence of the Barossa Valley and is a true testament to the history, soils and place that is the Barossa. The oldest vineyards in the Old Vine Trio, with planted in 1893, the Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz is one of Australia’s most collected wines and is considered a benchmark for premium Barossa Shiraz around the world.
Eyes: Dense deep purple, with vibrant youthful hues.
Nose: Dark blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, with hints of chocolate and sweet spice.
Palate: Full bodied, yet elegant. The brilliant 2019 vintage has delivered a timeless and generous Old Bastard. The palate opens with an abundance of bright dark berries and tight chalky tannins with layers of mocha, coffee and chocolate. As always, the wine is completely in balance. The finish is long and firm. Although this wine is drinking well now, the tannins will continue to soften with age. The gift that keeps on giving.
Body: Full
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Region: Barossa Valley
Growing Conditions: During the winter preceding the growing season, there were several minor rainfalls, but they were insufficient to penetrate deeply into the soil. October, November, and December experienced exceptionally high temperatures, contributing to wildfires across Australia, necessitating careful water management. This extreme heat resulted in below-average grape yields. However, cooler weather in February, coupled with beneficial rains, ultimately resulted in very high grape quality.
Vineyard Soils: Loam over clay
Vine Age: Shiraz vines planted in 1893
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.7
Acidity: 5.8 g/l
Winemaking:
Fruit was hand-picked and sourced from Shiraz vines planted in 1893. The Old Bastard Shiraz ages beautifully, with the berry notes becoming more prominent over time. It has decades to give, cellar up to 20+ years.