Kalleske Wines
The Kalleske family have been farming and growing grapes on the same property since 1853 near the village of Greenock. From seven generations of Barossa viticulturalists, Troy and Tony Kalleske have formed their eponymous wine brand. All the fruit is sourced from their certified organic and biodynamic, low yielding and sustainable vineyards. Kalleske wines are handcrafted using traditional winemaking techniques-small batches, open fermenters, wild yeast and basket pressing. With some of the vines more than 135 years old, Kalleske wines are pure expressions of the dry grown vineyards and the sub region of Greenock. Their wines have a true ‘sense of place’ allowing the vineyard sites to shine through.
"Kalleske...they emerged a few years ago as one of the most exciting of all the regions new wine producers. The wine are simply superb. Kalleske is a model for the future of the Barossa: there is a deep respect for the seven generations of history, but it is combined with a willingness to try new things; the wines display exceptional quality and unique personality, across all price points; and the vineyards are farmed in a truly sustainable way.”
Max Allen,
The Future Makers.
KALLESKE MERCHANT CABERNET SAUVIGNON
In 1838, merchant and miller, Johann Georg Kalleske migrated from Prussia, establishing a new life in South Australia. Today, seven generations later, descendant and fellow merchant and miller, Kym John Kalleske, farms our diverse Kalleske property established at Greenock in the North-Western Barossa in 1853. Continuing the family tradition, Kym is a miller of hay and a merchant of chaff, lamb and grapes. This Merchant Cabernet Sauvignon is a single vineyard wine that’s been hand pruned and harvested by Kym. Traditional winemaking and eighteen months in barrel has ensured a full-bodied varietal Cabernet Sauvignon displaying classic structure and richness typical of the Kalleske vineyard.
VINEYARD
Merchant Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from a single vineyard that was planted on the Kalleske property at the end of last century. The hand-pruned vines are low- yielding and are grown in shallow, sandy loam soil over superb deep red clay, providing ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon.
WINEMAKING
The grapes were picked on March 28th and then destemmed into an open top fermenter. The must was fermented for 8 days on skins with hand pump-overs twice a day. After pressing off skins the Cabernet was filled to a mix of 30% new and the balance used French oak hogsheads, where the wine underwent natural malolactic fermentation. The Cabernet was matured in barrel for eighteen months prior to bottling.
TASTING NOTES
In colour this wine is intense dark red-purple. On the nose Merchant is inviting and lifted with aromas of blackcurrant, violet, liquorice, dark chocolate, cherry and a hint of mint. The full bodied palate displays weighty varietal fruit including juicy plum, blackberry and wild berries. Oak is subtle and well integrated adding complexity. Tannins are present but being entirely natural they’re integrated providing a solid but rounded structure. The wine respects varietal character is powerful but controlled giving good balance. It is long to finish completing a very classy wine. Merchant is a classic Barossa Cabernet that can be equally enjoyed now or in a decade.
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WINERY RATING |
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2013 |
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