James Kalleske Cyme Barossa Valley Centenarian Vine Grenache 2021
- 94
- $65
- Drink by: 2022-2026
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More fabulous Grenache goodness from the Kalleske team, led by James Kalleske. James grew up in the Barossa and has experience there as well as with a number of the very best producers in Margaret River and has even made wine in Bali – not something one regularly finds on a CV. This wine, from wonderful old vines planted in the very early years of the last century, was made from handpicked grapes. 20% whole bunch fermentation with nine days on skins and then a year in French oak. Only 800 bottles were made so do what you can to track one down. Attractive garnet colour, the nose opens with warm earth, raspberries, bay leaves, spices and a hint of animal skins. Supple and seamless on the palate, notes of chocolate and cherry emerge there. Very silky tannins which just melt and impressive length here. Nicely balanced, delicious and absolutely slurpable (my spellcheck assures me that this is not a word, but one sip of this wine and you’ll agree it should be). Drink now for five to six years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
