2020 Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz Museum Release, Barossa Valley

Deep crimson with aromas of super-ripe blackberry, blood plum and black cherry fruits. Densely packed with hints of baking spices, licorice and dark chocolate, a dark earthy resonance, some roasting meats and graphite for good measure. Full bodied and intense, a surging tide of black berry fruits, spice and dark chocolate on the palate; some oak-derived wood spice, tight, fine tannin grip and a serious, broody finish.

95 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz Museum Release from the Barossa Valley is a powerful reminder of how beautifully old vine Barossa Shiraz can evolve when given the luxury of time. The fruit comes from Kaesler’s treasured old vine blocks, many planted between the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds, vines that have weathered more than a century of seasons. Their roots dig deep into Barossa soils made of clay, ironstone and sandy loam, drawing up intensity, minerality and the unmistakable character that only heritage vines can deliver. This museum release shows the wine not in its youth but in its fully developed form, revealing layers of complexity that only patience can unlock.

The winemaking respects the delicacy of these ancient vines. Fruit is hand picked in tiny quantities and fermented in small open top vessels that allow slow, gentle extraction. The wine is matured in carefully chosen French oak that supports the fruit rather than overtaking it. What truly sets the museum release apart is the extended ageing in bottle before release. This slow evolution builds aromatic depth, savoury nuance and textural harmony that younger wines simply cannot match.

In the glass it sits as a deep garnet red with ruby flashes. The nose is beautifully mature with blackberry conserve, plum paste and dark cherry at its core, wrapped in layers of cocoa, leather, dried herbs, cigar box, coffee grounds and warm earth. As it opens, it reveals hints of black pepper, violets, cedar and graphite, each note echoing the iron rich soils of its old vine origins. The wine feels calm, complete and wonderfully expressive.

The palate is velvety and concentrated with softened tannins that glide effortlessly. Waves of dark berry fruit mingle with flavours of cocoa, spice, dried plum, mocha and savoury earth. Subtle cured meat and mineral tones appear through the mid palate and add depth. The finish is long, textural and quietly powerful with lingering fruit sweetness and warm spice. The wine’s maturity makes it an outstanding partner for slow braised beef, lamb shoulder, duck confit, venison, porcini risotto or truffle heavy dishes. Although already beautifully evolved, it can continue to mature gracefully for many more years.