2004 Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz

Kaesler Vineyard is in Australia’s Barossa Valley. The estate was founded in 1893 Polish immigrants who purchased land and planted vineyards. Today the 37-acre estate is owned by a group of private investors and it makes a large portfolio of estate, limited edition and other wines. The best known wines remain the Shiraz and Cabernet wines. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that the winery hit “full stride” in 1997 when “young Reid Bosward took over the winemaking responsibilities. One of the most exciting portfolios in South Australia, these are exuberant, full-throttle, classic wines that are the antithesis of restrained European offerings.”

South Australia is the nation’s most important wine region. South Australia is to Australia what California is to the U.S. About half of Australia’s wine comes from South Australia and many of the country’s most acclaimed producers are there. Wineries based in South Australia include Penfolds Grange, Torbreck, Amon Ra, Henschke and Jacob’s Creek. The prestigious Barossa Valley is located in South Australia, and is often compared to Napa Valley because it is gorgeous topography covered in grape vines. First farmed by 19th century German-speakers who immigrated from what is now Poland, the Barossa Valley is the crown jewel of the region. South Australia has widely varying climates, from very hot, dry areas to cooler, high altitude areas. There are more than 150,000 acres of vineyards in South Australia, with more being planted each month. Shiraz is king, though the region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Chardonnay and Semillon.

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.