Tasting notes from the winery for Kalleske Moppa Shiraz 2019

2019 Moppa Shiraz is dark magenta-black in colour. There is an array of delectable aromatics exuding from the glass. It displays notes of potpourri, malt, plum cake, clove spice, ginger, anise and violet. The palate is full-bodied, rich and flavoursome with a vivacious expression of ripe berry fruits. It is a mouth-filling wine, generous but admirably balanced. The natural tannins are well integrated adding a chalky spine. Subtle cedary oak is evident, playing a supportive role in the background. As expected from this bountiful wine the finish is equally impressive, long and pure-fruited. Moppa 2019 is an expressive Shiraz that can be enjoyed now or will cellar well in the medium to long term.

In 1853 our Kalleske farm and vineyard was established at Moppa, a small sub-district of Greenock in the Barossa’s North-West. The Moppa district was a flourishing settlement of pioneering farming families and gold miners. There were few schools in the region, local parents established the Moppa Public School in 1873 to give their children a formal education. Located on our Kalleske property, generations of the Kalleske family attended this school until its closure in 1935. Sourced entirely from our Kalleske Moppa vineyard, a trace of Viognier and Petit Verdot has been added to this Shiraz giving it a contemporary edge. This is a genuine hand made wine that’s been grown, vintaged and matured on our Kalleske estate at Greenock in the North-Western Barossa.

GROWING SEASON

Quality from 2019 is stunning. It was a warm and extremely dry growing season with rainfall down significantly (39%), making it one of the driest years in the past century. Summer was 3 degrees warmer than average. Yields were impacted by the dry season, leading to smaller berries and bunches. Importantly quality is brilliant producing richly flavoured, intense wines.

VINEYARD

Moppa is predominantly Shiraz with a trace of Petit Verdot (5%) and Viognier (2%) blended in for added complexity. Grapes are from nine different blocks on the Kalleske’s organic farm, with the oldest of these blocks planted in 1961. The vines are low-yielding and are grown in shallow, sandy loam soil over superb deep red clay, providing ideal conditions for these varieties.

WINEMAKING

The Shiraz was harvested in numerous batches from February 26th to March 18th. One lot of Shiraz was co-fermented on the skins of Viognier which had been harvested on February 26th. The Petit Verdot is a late ripener and was harvested on April 9th. All batches were wild fermented in open top fermenters with hand pumpovers twice a day during fermentation. After 7 to 14 days on skins the fermented grapes were traditionally pressed. The wine was aged in hogshead barrels for thirteen months. Approximately 25% new French, American and Hungarian oak was used with the balance seasoned barrels. On completion of maturation, a portion of Petit Verdot and Shiraz/Viognier was blended for added complexity. 

CURRENT VINTAGE AWARDS, REVIEWS & ACCOLADES

New Release

2018 KALLESKE MOPPA SHIRAZ

Gold Medal | 95 Points
Marananga Wine Show, August 2019

92 Points
"Includes Petit Verdot (9%) and Viognier (2%). It’s a charming rendition of Barossa Shiraz offering perfume, red and black fruit, and nutty nougat oak in support. Juicy and saline, fine grained tannin, plenty of flavour and plushness to fruit, even weight and a finish that’s pretty good, but falls short of the expectation that’s set by that which comes before it. That being said, I think it will settle and grow with a few more years on it."
Campbell Mattinson, Winefront, October 2019

92 Points
"Opaque, dark cherry-red colour. Vibrant aromatics - ripe raspberries and plums - red raisins too. Oak is raw though subdued. Dark chocolate and cherries on the palate, with crunchy red berries and a hint of caramel. It’s modern and fruit-driven. Freshness comes in the form of bright acidity. Built for mid-term enjoyment" Nick Butler, The Real Review, October 2019 "A sensational wine which has just a smidge of Viognier and a splash of Petit Verdot included so as to add a little extra dimension to the magnificent Shiraz that this wine is. Deep, bright purple in colour with a delightful bouquet of red berries and a hint of forest floor. A gorgeous BIG mouthful of flavours, with tight but not OTT tannins making it a divine, hugely drinkable, young, Barossa Shiraz "
Dan Traucki, Wine Assist, September 2019

92 Points
Barossa Wine Show, September 2019

(SKU: KA_MOP_19)