Kaesler Wines has won the 2018 Saint Martin Oak Great Australian Shiraz Challenge, best of show Trophy with its 2016 The Bogan Shiraz and in the 24th year of this prestigious event, and has also won the Orora Glass Trophy for the best South Australian entry.
The Bogan is an assemblage of vines planted in Marananga (contributes blue-fruit flavours) and Nuriootpa (contributes black fruit). The oldest vines are 119 years old (Marangara). Nurioopta was planted in 1965.
These two blocks have built Bogan’s strong reputation and style.The fruit was hand harvested and given time on skins, pressed then put to barrel.Matured in 25% new French oak and the remainder 2 & 3 years old French oak for 15 months. No filtration.
The colour is plenty and garnet Full ripe plums, black cherries, with hints of savoury spice and aromatics.
Fruit driven with smooth, supple tannins. Elegant and velvety with good structure and length.
Deep, dark red colour with a purple tint. The bouquet is reserved and shy but clean and attractive, while the palate delivers loads of sweetly ripe blackberry fruit. Delicious flavour, lots of berries and lovely ripeness. Slight bitterness in the tannins on the aftertaste. It's a gorgeous Big Red, and I fail to see what is bogan-esque about it. 23 MAY 2019 Drink 2019–2032
94 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com
Very wild and complex dark-plum and blackberry aromas with a dense and rich array of tarry and fresh earthy notes, as well as light spices. The palate has effortless depth and rich fruit-flesh with a long, sexy blackberry finish. Drink or hold.
94 points James Suckling jamessuckling.com