Pirathon Shiraz 2008

[Waiters Friend]

Pirathon appears to be a side project from the Kalleske Brothers, although the wine is made at the Kalleske winery.

Pirathon has a separate website to Kalleske, although there are links from one to the other, and I'm not sure why they have chosen to do this. They produce a few Shiraz under the Kalleske label as well. Perhaps someone knows the answer?

I suspect it has something to do with marketing. Kalleske produces Shiraz at $100 a bottle, yet this goes for $270 a case. Pirathon is allegedly 'an ancient word for pinnacle', and if they can produce their pinnacle for $22 a bottle, then what's this Johann Georg stuff?

I also suspect it has something to do with 'estate' grapes vs purchased grapes (Pirathon being the latter).

Regardless, for the price this is an impressive wine indeed. This is a big wine (not just in alc/v 15%) that is rich and mouthfilling. Tannins are prominent but they don't overshadow the buckets of red fruits, chocolate/mocha and Christmas pudding washing over the palate.

The finish is very long, and everything about this wine screams 'sweet' in a rich and fruity sense. Now where did I put that tawny port?

If this is what the Kalleske boys can do with purchased grapes, I wonder what the real deal is like? I've not tried any other Kalleske wines, so maybe now is time to go looking.

Cheers

Allan

[Teisto]

Allan,

Would have to agree - have bought this since the first release since 2005. To me a great value Shiraz which can be bought for $20 a bottle if you look around. Not expecting it to go forever but opened a 2005 a couple of weeks ago and it has lost a lot of that forward fruit and is starting to mellow somewhat with some more savoury flavours at the back end

Have some of the Moppa and Greenock Shiraz and like their JMK vintage port as well.

[GRB]

I also suspect it has something to do with 'estate' grapes vs purchased grapes (Pirathon being the latter).

Bingo, the Kalleske labeled wines are all estate grown. The Pirathon on a collection of a few local growers. Also uses a mix of different oak. It is great bang for you buck but a recent tasting through the whole range showed that the better wines are well worth the extra $. The new Eduard being a standout.

Glen

[Bick]

I had the 05 shortly after release, and thought it was very, very good. I bought 8-9 bottles or so. After a couple of years in the cellar I was less sure - the alcohol was taking over, the overall impression one of increasing jamminess and undue warmth. The 06 on release was less good than 05 imo, its balance not quite so spot on; 07 likewise. I've not tried 08 and likely wont bother. In short, I think Pirathon flattered to deceive, based on the excellent early showing of the 05, but that its not a wine that has the structure or balance to age well. The last 05 I had (perhaps 6 months ago) was by this stage quite disapppointing, frankly.

[Waiters Friend]

I had the 05 shortly after release, and thought it was very, very good. I bought 8-9 bottles or so. After a couple of years in the cellar I was less sure - the alcohol was taking over, the overall impression one of increasing jamminess and undue warmth. The 06 on release was less good than 05 imo, its balance not quite so spot on; 07 likewise. I've not tried 08 and likely wont bother. In short, I think Pirathon flattered to deceive, based on the excellent early showing of the 05, but that its not a wine that has the structure or balance to age well. The last 05 I had (perhaps 6 months ago) was by this stage quite disapppointing, frankly.

As it turns out, time has proved Bick right. The 2008 is an OK wine now, but one I am sure will not go any longer, and is getting jammier with age. One to take along to rehearsals with my band (we rehearse in an unheated garage).

[Panda 9D]

Regarding why Pirathon is under a different label, the estate vs purchased grapes is pretty much it but an important factor is that the Pirathon isn't 100% organic.

[Peter Schlesinger]

I had the 05 shortly after release, and thought it was very, very good. I bought 8-9 bottles or so. After a couple of years in the cellar I was less sure - the alcohol was taking over, the overall impression one of increasing jamminess and undue warmth. The 06 on release was less good than 05 imo, its balance not quite so spot on; 07 likewise. I've not tried 08 and likely wont bother. In short, I think Pirathon flattered to deceive, based on the excellent early showing of the 05, but that its not a wine that has the structure or balance to age well. The last 05 I had (perhaps 6 months ago) was by this stage quite disapppointing, frankly.

My experience is similar to yours Bick. First tried a Pirathon years ago at a RB Monday night tasting where the "hello sailor" sweet fruit/high alcohol combo attracted our sweet shiraz slutties like the proverbial flies. And I did enjoy it over the short term but the wrinkles started to show far more quickly than I was comfortable with. So the lesson is that Pirathon is a great red if you're after a deep meaningful one night stand but for a longer lasting relationship, taste with the lights on first.