The Auswine Forum

Last Wednesday afternoon 14th, Brett Stephens and I were able to visit the home and maker of Kalleske wines. It was a great way to end a great day in the Barossa.

There is no cellar door at Kalleske as all would know from the "Meet the Winemaker" and Troy took us on a trip around the vinyard to see his very old vines some of which you would wonder how they could survive. We were able to tasted the berries from the old shiraz and grenache.

Back to the barrel shed (which is protected by the biggest dog around - only eats one sheep a day) and we tasted the 2003 shiraz and grenache in the barrells from a range of old to new oak. Sensational - get an order in Gavin but I suppose you will when you have tasted the samples Troy sent.

Then on to the 2004 barrell samples where you appreciate how the oak is used and the changes that happen to the wine during the barrell time.

We then got to try the 2002 shiraz and grenache that was so popular that it only lasted a very short time after being offered for sale by Gavin. Enough has been written of these wines and I won't bore you with another.

Troy's hospitality was of the top quality (particularly when he gave us the opened bottle to have with dinner that night) and it leaves me with no doubt about his commitment to produce only the highest quality wines that he is fortunate to be able to work his magic with.

Brett, as a budding winemaker will be able to fully enlighten you with the techo stuff when he returns from the Barossa but I'm sure he will want to join with me in a BIG THANKYOU to Troy for the time he spent with us.

Graham

Thanks for the heads up. I'm meeting up with Troy on Saturday and hope for a similar experience.

The'02 shiraz is top notch and I cant wait to buy the 03s.

GrahamB wrote:
Back to the barrel shed (which is protected by the biggest dog around - only eats one sheep a day) and we tasted the 2003 shiraz and grenache in the barrells from a range of old to new oak. Sensational - get an order in Gavin but I suppose you will when you have tasted the samples Troy sent.

Graham

Hi

Tried the 03 Shiraz with 707 Friday, highly impressive for its consistency (with the 2002) and intensity. the 2003's look to be every bit as good as the 2002's.

I will order stacks of course.

here here to everything Graham said, great to finally meet a fellow forumite. And a huge thanks to Troy for taking a couple of hours to show us around the property and the winery. Very educational and enjoyable.

also interesting to see, the way great wines are made and a lot of the text book winemaking out the window???

The wines were fantastic on the whole, with a refined power, most of my notes have a scribble at the bottom of 'come back in 10 years' they are great now but with fine tannins and good fruit weight to age with the best.

Great to Meet Graham

and a huge thanks to Troy

Brett

I agree Brett. Met up with Troy on Saturday and he is a great bloke, and is a winemaker to be supported in the future. He was tickled pink when he read Halliday had given his 02 Greenock Shiraz 96/100 in Saturday's Australian. A sensational first-up effort.

He was tickled pink when he read Halliday had given his 02 Greenock Shiraz 96/100 in Saturday's Australian. A sensational first-up effort.[/quote]

Mike,
this was not his first vintage. Troy has been making Kalleske wines since 1999. '02 is certainly a crecker.

Muscat Mike wrote: '02 is certainly a crecker.

Mike,

Makes you old bones ache You been taking typing lessons from me

Muscat Mike wrote:
'02 is certainly a crecker.


Mike,

Makes you old bones ache You been taking typing lessons from me
_________________
Cheers
Ric

That or Mike's been hanging aroung a lot of New Zealanders lately!

Cheers,
Ian

I make ONE mistake after all this time and I get jumped on. Just read your own rebukes and see the mistakes you made.
Mike.

Muscat Mike wrote:I make ONE mistake after all this time and I get jumped on. Just read your own rebukes and see the mistakes you made.
Mike.

No Mike, you don't get jumped on, you get the mickey taken out of you. There is a big difference my friend.

MM,

I believe the 2002 was the first commercially released vintage, with 99 being a trial.