2012 Kalleske Pirathon Shiraz

Pirathon is an ancient word for pinnacle with Shiraz considered to be Barossa’s pinnacle grape variety. Winemaker Troy Kalleske considers the 2012 vintage to be fantastic year commenting “The wines from 2012 are outstanding and up there with 2010 and 2002 as the best wines to come out of our Kalleske winery.” Sourced from a variety of Barossa’s top sub districts including Greenock, Moppa, Belvedere, Stonewell, Seppeltsfield, Koonunga and Ebenezer the wine was matured for 18 months in a combination of new and seasoned American, French, Russian and Hungarian oak hogsheads.

Superb saturated inky black crimson colour with deep dark crimson black hue. The nose displays good aromatic lift with scents of ripe blackberry and liquorice to the fore followed by a touch of dark chocolate and some vanillin confectionary. Bold rich flavours of blackberry, liquorice and dark chocolate power over the palate in flamboyant fashion with a background of toasty vanillin oak and spice. Opulent plush mouthfeel with velvet smooth tannins. Excellent richness and depth with long liquorice, blackberry, toasty vanillin oak and spice aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years (2013-2018).
Alc 14.5%

Other Reviews....
Full, deep crimson-purple; an incredibly rich, dense, full-bodied shiraz with a velvety mouthfeel to its layers of dark fruits; despite all this, it has perfect balance, its tannins especially good, its future unlimited. For the record, it spent 18 months in a wide range of new and used oak. Drink by 2032.
95 points
James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion