Kalleske 2008 Florentine Chenin Blanc
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Winery/Brand: Kalleske
The wine is white-straw in colour. The intriguing nose is inviting with aromas of citrus tart, spice, slate and green apple. The palate is generous, but tight. The fruit is supported by classy subtle oak. Well layered, with a rich texture the wine finishes crisp and lingers for a long time. This is a sophisticated and intriguing wine that can be enjoyed now but will cellar gracefully.
The Story
This single vineyard Chenin Blanc, sourced from mature vines on our Kalleske farm, has been wild fermented and partially barrel matured to provide a varietal yet complex wine. It gains its name from Caroline ‘Florentine’ Kalleske, the first daughter of Johann Georg Kalleske who migrated to Australia from Prussia in 1838. Florentine is a genuine hand crafted wine that’s been grown, vintaged and matured on our Kalleske estate at Greenock in the North-Western Barossa.
Growing Season: 2008 was an extremely hot and dry vintage. The Barossa experienced its biggest heat-wave of all time with 15 days in a row over 35 degrees in early March. Fortunately, however, prior to the heat-wave there were superb ripening conditions and this Chenin Blanc was harvested in February with solid flavours and fruit vibrancy. Overall, a very good vintage, with average yields and good quality.
Vineyard: Florentine is from a single vineyard of Chenin Blanc on the Kalleske property that was planted in 1988. The vines are low yielding and soil is shallow sand with clay subsoil.
Winemaking:The grapes were harvested in the cool of the night on 22nd February. They were then whole bunch pressed and the juice was settled prior to racking to fermentation. The juice was entirely wild fermented with native yeast and half the ferment was undertaken in Russian oak hogsheads and the other half was in tank. Partial lees stirring was employed post fermentation for added texture and complexity. The wine was blended and bottled after 6 months barrel maturation.
"This is a brand new release from Kalleske… Back in the early '80's it was a hugely popular grape… Florentine from Kalleske is a very good option as we start to push into summer here down under. Nice and crisp a little bit of honey notes on the background, nice and zesty at the same time… something that cleans the palate out but doesn't leave you with a big sticky flavour in the gob, but still good, lots of flavour in it at the same time... Good to see the Kalleske guys doing some good stuff with the white grapes too." Danny Bishop & Brad Paton, Wineweek: edition 101, 8 December 2008
Growing Season: 2008 was an extremely hot and dry vintage. The Barossa experienced its biggest heat-wave of all time with 15 days in a row over 35 degrees in early March. Fortunately, however, prior to the heat-wave there were superb ripening conditions and this Chenin Blanc was harvested in February with solid flavours and fruit vibrancy. Overall, a very good vintage, with average yields and good quality.
Vineyard: Florentine is from a single vineyard of Chenin Blanc on the Kalleske property that was planted in 1988. The vines are low yielding and soil is shallow sand with clay subsoil.
Winemaking:The grapes were harvested in the cool of the night on 22nd February. They were then whole bunch pressed and the juice was settled prior to racking to fermentation. The juice was entirely wild fermented with native yeast and half the ferment was undertaken in Russian oak hogsheads and the other half was in tank. Partial lees stirring was employed post fermentation for added texture and complexity. The wine was blended and bottled after 6 months barrel maturation.
"This is a brand new release from Kalleske… Back in the early '80's it was a hugely popular grape… Florentine from Kalleske is a very good option as we start to push into summer here down under. Nice and crisp a little bit of honey notes on the background, nice and zesty at the same time… something that cleans the palate out but doesn't leave you with a big sticky flavour in the gob, but still good, lots of flavour in it at the same time... Good to see the Kalleske guys doing some good stuff with the white grapes too." Danny Bishop & Brad Paton, Wineweek: edition 101, 8 December 2008
The Specs
| Region | Barossa, SA |
| Grapes | Chenin Blanc |
| Vintage | 2008 |
| Volume | 750mL |
| Packaging | Glass Bottle |
