Description
The Kaesler vineyards were owned and run by the Kaesler family from 1893 to 1986. In 1999, winemaker Reid Bosward seized the opportunity to become the head of the new Kaesler family when he and his partners bought Kaesler, becoming the third owners of this property. At this time, the Kaesler vineyards consisted of over 70% red wine vines, all 40 years of age or more.
Now having access to premium old vine material, Reid set out to produce bold estate wines representative of the Barossa Valley. The intensity of the old vine Shiraz inspired Reid to produce a special premium batch, the “Old Bastard.” Classified as “Outstanding” by Langtons with its rich and intense fruit style, the Old Bastard Shiraz paved the way for Kaesler. A string of highly celebrated wines followed suit, the generous Stonehorse range and premium Old Vine Shiraz, “The Bogan” and Alte Reben wines to name a few.
Kaesler owns just over 37 hectares (92 acres) of vineyards in the Barossa Valley, the majority of it is old vine material planted in 1893, 1899, 1930 and in the 1960’s.
Fruit is hand picked and hand pruned with irrigation kept to a minimum. Crop thinning is done in most years to reduce yields and maximise flavour with blocks kept separate until final blending. Nigel Van Der Zande, the Vineyard Manager for Kaesler (and it’s sister vineyards), has introduced revegetation projects to improve soils, help restore the natural balance and give something back to the environment.
This fine wine was named Avignon as a nod to the fine Sothern Rhone varietals Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre and hommage to Chateauneuf Du Pape. Handpicked fruit, 2 weeks on skins followed by 18 months in 4 year old French Oak.
From the winemaker about the 2021 vintage: “At Kaesler each version of the ‘Avignon’ is slightly different depending on vintage conditions and composition of the varieties. However, every year the grapes are sourced from our famous 90 year old Barossa vines.
“The 2021 vintage was in a word ‘Brilliant’. Barossa saw cool and dry conditions which has produced excellent quality reds and whites. Great growing conditions combined with good yields created amemorable harvest, with all wines showing a wide array of aromas and flavours. Soft supple tannins are in abundance in the reds which has ensured easy drinking in their youth, with careful cellaring also reaping rewards. The highlight for 2021 was the overall quality, a genuine 10/10 season.
“As the back labels tells us, at Kaesler we have some of the oldest vines in the Barossa Valley and the three varieties that go into the 2021 Avignon are indeed just that. This blend is comprised of 94 year old Grenache and Mourvèdre, and 59-year-old Shiraz help to fill out the pedigree of this wine. Each variety was fermented on skins for between 7 to 10 days, with careful management to avoid over-extraction. After pressing, each batch is kept separate and racked once or twice over the next twelve months, before being blended and given a light filtration before bottling.
Bright garnet to ruby red. Bursting with red berry fruit. An ensemble of red and black berries on the front to middle palate, hints of savoury spice on the back.”
New release …Review for 2020 ..93 points, Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion “I’ve had some cracking bottles of the Avignon over the years, and I’ll continue to return to its charms on the back of the current release. Calm and composed with a confident, exotically-spiced air, plush plummy fruit, a touch of black pepper, roasting meats and a distinct violet swish of its tail. Just so easy to drink, finishing savoury and true.”
RRP $70 *Our Special Price $53.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine*
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