Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz 2021
- 98
- $350
- Drink by: 2025-2045
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Who doesn’t love the label? More importantly, who doesn’t love the wine in the bottle? This stunning Barossa Shiraz comes from a vineyard planted way back in 1983 and it is probably fair to say that in all the years since then, there have been very few vintages which can compete with 2021. Under cork, this is an opaque purple/maroon. Ripe, fragrant, generous and yet well poised, there is good concentration to this classic Barossa Shiraz. We have notes of chocolate, black fruits, cassis, cocoa powder, bay leaves, crushed herbs, mocha and coffee beans. Intense, sleek and with near perfect oak integration, the wine has immaculate balance, silky tannins and such a seductive texture. Amazing length, this is stunning stuff. A cracking Barossa Valley Shiraz which will easily handle two decades or more in the cellar. If this doesn’t thrill you then the Barossa is not for you.
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.
