Kaesler WOMS Shiraz Cabernet 2022
- 95
- $90
- Drink by: 2025-2040
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This the Kaesler interpretation of the great Aussie red blend, Shiraz and Cabernet, both from the Barossa Valley. Here, the Shiraz is dominant. The wine spends around a year and a half in French oak, a significant percentage of it new (60%). The Shiraz was planted in 1961, while the Cabernet is younger, planted in 1985. The name refers to the wine being a “Weapon of Mass Seduction”, which is such a better name than the first time I saw a bottle and misread it as ‘Worms’. After the stunning 2021 vintage, this wine had a hard act to follow, but 2022 was another stellar year. Under cork, just 6,199 bottles were made. An inky dark maroon, the nose is chock full of the most gorgeous aromatics. We have aromas of chocolate, mocha, crushed herbs, cassis, bay leaves, licorice and beef stock, with a hint of vegemite. Bold and ripe, this is beautifully structured with a creamy texture, silky tannins and wonderful length. This is a superb example of what can be achieved with this blend and it should remain delicious drinking for at least the next ten to fifteen 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.
