2022 Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz

Founded by Silesian pioneers in the 1890s, Kaesler is home to some of the Barossa’s most celebrated old-vine Shiraz, with plantings dating back over 120 years. Revived in 1999 by Ed Peter and Reid Bosward, the estate has built a reputation for bold, expressive wines like the iconic Old Bastard, Alte Reben, and The Bogan. Today, Kaesler remains a 5-star Halliday-rated winery, producing consistently acclaimed Barossa classics.
Sourced from some of Kaesler’s treasured old vineyards, the fruit is hand-harvested and carefully selected to ensure only pristine bunches make the cut. Fermented gently to preserve balance and finesse, the wine is then matured for 16 months in French puncheons. The result is a richly concentrated Barossa Shiraz with depth, supple tannins, and the hallmark power of old-vine fruit. The 2022 vintage followed a much wetter winter than usual, with rainfall 48% above average—a welcome relief after three dry years. Early in the season, cooler conditions slowed growth, before warmer weather later in summer provided excellent ripening. A hailstorm in late October reduced yields in some parcels, but the surviving fruit achieved excellent balance. The result is a concentrated, structured Shiraz with the depth and plush tannins that define Kaesler’s old-vine style.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews....
Bright crimson in the glass with a fair lick of creamy French oak leading the aromatic charge, bright, dark and red plum fruits lie below, sheathed in fine spice and hints of roasting meats, Christmas cake, dark chocolate and violet top notes. There's an elegant flow to the palate here. Fine of structure with the fruit stretched tautly over the frame of fine, sandy tannin and bright acidity, finishing long and savoury with some nice toothsome chew to its form. Drink 2024-2038.
95 Points
Dave Brookes - Halliday's Australian Wine Companion

Robust aromas of blood plums, dark cherries, licorice, blueberries and sweet spices. The palate is full-bodied with a creamy texture, firmly framed tannins and bright acidity. A lot to like, with a supple and refined finish. Drink or hold.
94 Points
JamesSuckling.com

“Old Vines” planted in the 1960s, so not as old as the “Alte Reben”. Perhaps it sounds older in German.
Richness and lifted aromas define this wine. It’s built with red fruit on the outside and a concentrated line of black fruit on the inside. The perfume holds the tension of cherry blossom, hazelnut oak and rose petal potpourri. The flavour is luscious but carries the same lift of red fruit as the aroma. The tannins are tense and spiked with iodine, that kind of earthy, salty nuance, balancing between dried fruit and dried blood. There’s something very pretty but a bit rusty about this wine, giving ethereal and umami at the same time and this combination is hard to resist. Drink 2025-2037+
96 Points
Kasia Sobiesiak - The Wine Front

Sourced from estate vineyards planted in the sixties. And oh, how they deliver with their smooth, succulent and lavish fruit. The colour is bright red and slightly purple. Aromas of chocolate and plummy black fruits supplemented by some slightly charry oak. The palate is seamlessly structured, with the fine, bony, chalky tannins contributing structure and texture. A most refined example of Barossa Shiraz. Drink 2025-2040.
95 Points
Ray Jordan - WinePilot.com