2021 Kaesler Alte Reben Shiraz

97 POINTS

Ray Jordan - Winepilot

This is a powerhouse Shiraz carrying the distinctive regional stamp of the Barossa but not losing its essential varietal integrity. Dark fruits mingle with a mix of brick dust and minerally oyster shell characters on the nose. The palate is still firm and controlled with fine chalky tannins and a liberal use of oak supporting perfectly. It has a subtle leafy graphite influence as the final touch.

97 POINTS

Ken Gargett - Winepilot

Alte Reben means ‘old vines’ in German, fitting for this impressive Barossa Shiraz as the grapes here come from the team’s old vineyard in Marananga, planted in 1899. The wine will spend around a year and a half maturing in a mix of new and older French oak. Again, from this stellar vintage and the colour is as black as night. A gorgeous nose here, which is rich with blackberries, cassis, mocha, chocolate and plums. There is great intensity throughout, but the balance never waivers. Thrillingly expressive with a seamless and seductive texture and silky tannins. Excellent length, love this, an absolutely cracking Barossa Shiraz. Twenty years ahead of it, probably more.

95 POINTS

Kasia Sobiesiak - The Wine Front

Old vines, planted in 1899. The oak spice and the peppery pinch of Shiraz come together gracefully in this wine. The notes of vanilla and toast go hand in hand with ripe black fruit. This wine has a mahogany, rich, luxurious perfume. Roasted coffee and warm woody undertones, exotic spice, smoked meat and light char to tannin, steaming cherry pie with some dusting of cinnamon, leather and just a hint of boot polish. It’s dense like freshly brewed coffee and textural like very high quality, silky cocoa powder. You could sink into its cosy perfume and plush fabric of flavour for hours.

95 POINTS

James Suckling

A rich, full-bodied and juicy red that has aromas and flavors of roasted plums, cherries, chocolate, dried coconuts and mocha. It’s velvety and caressing in texture. Opulent, but well-balanced and delicious.

95 POINTS

Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion

Alte Reben means ‘old vines’ in German, hinting to the source of the shiraz on the Kaesler Marananga vineyard planed in 1899. Quite 'trad' in style with plentiful oak, spice and a resonant fruit weight that could come from nowhere else but the Barossa. A cracking vintage, too, with great length of flavour, bright acidity and a sense of tension of balance that belies the concentration on display.