Kaesler Annual Icons Release 2025

Old Bastard 2021

The Kaesler ‘Old Bastard’ Barossa Shiraz is arguably one of Australia’s most highly regarded wines. The name refers to a small number of ‘old bastards’ – gnarly old bush vines planted in 1893, which form the heart of the Kaesler brand.

Hand harvested in the early morning of March 9th after a “perfect” ripening season. The grapes were then immediately destemmed and fermented on skins for 7 days, with twice daily remontage. After pressing and subsequent settling, the wine was aged in 50% new French oak for 18 months, prior to bottling in March of 2023.

Accolades:
98 Points - The Wine Pilot 
96 Points - Halliday Wine Companion
95 Points - The Vintage Journal
95 Points - The Real Review

VARIETIES: Shiraz 100%
VINE AGE: Planted in 1893
REGION: Barossa Valley
SOIL TYPE: Loam over clay
HARVEST: By hand
OAK ORIGIN: French oak
MATURATION: 18 months
WINEMAKER: Tim Dolan & Stephen Dew
CLOSURE: Cork
VEGAN: Yes
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
PEAK DRINKING: 2026 - 2051

WOMS 2022

Kaesler WOMS is the quintessential Australian blend, the perfect mix of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon that produces a complex but rich, classic dry red wine. Referred to as a “Weapon of Mass Seduction” (WOMS). The limited edition WOMS is only crafted in years that yield outstanding vintage quality. The 2022 WOMS is a blend of 59% Shiraz and 41% Cabernet Sauvignon from select old vine parcels that are of immense concentration and fruit depth. Aged in 60% new French oak for 18 months prior to bottling.

The 2022 WOMS release is a tribute to the harvest, winemaking and diversity of the region. Hand harvested and destemmed and then allowed to settle for a day. After this, the ferments are then pumped over as needed in order to provide colour and tannin concentration. This process continued for 7days for the Shiraz and 8 days for the Cabernet. The free run juice is then pumped away using just the weight of the fruit we collect over the next 8-10 hours, this is what we call ‘the draining. The wine is then put directly into new French oak barrels to complete malolactic fermentation.

Accolades:
95 Points - The Vintage Journal
95 Points - Halliday Wine Companion
95 Points - The Real Review
95 Points - The Wine Pilot

VARIETIES: Shiraz 59% Cabernet Sauvignon 41%
VINE AGE: Planted in 1961 & 1985
REGION: Barossa Valley
SOIL TYPE: Loam over clay
HARVEST: By hand
OAK ORIGIN: French oak
MATURATION: 18 months
WINEMAKER: Tim Dolan & Stephen Dew
CLOSURE: Cork
VEGAN: Yes
ALCOHOL: 14%
PEAK DRINKING: 2027 - 2042

Old Vine Shiraz 2022

Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz, derived from 1960s vines and cuttings of 1893 Old Bastard Shiraz. It is meticulously aged in 500L French oak puncheons, resulting in a wine that boasts a harmonious balance and a plush, soft texture.

Coming from three vineyards of our favourite Kaesler Old Vine and Barrington’s Old Vines, all fruit is hand harvested in order to ensure we only get the best of the bunches, with no shriveled or sunburnt berries. Fermentation typically lasts 8 to 10 days, with the pump over routine adjusted daily to avoid overworking the ferment. At pressing, the free run juice is taken off and the skins are lightly pressed in order to keep the tannins soft. After two days of settling, the wine is then racked to French oak puncheons. Time in barrel will be determined by the wine, this year, it was 16 months duration.

Accolades:
96 Points - The Wine Pilot
95 Points - David Sly | Barossa Wine
95 Points - The Vintage Journal
95 Points - Halliday Wine Companion Silver - Barossa Wine Show
93 Points - The Real Review

VARIETIES: Shiraz 100%
VINE AGE: Planted in 1962
REGION: Barossa Valley
SOIL TYPE: Loam over clay
HARVEST: By hand
OAK ORIGIN: French oak puncheons 
MATURATION: 16 months
WINEMAKER: Tim Dolan & Stephen Dew
CLOSURE: Cork
VEGAN: Yes
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
PEAK DRINKING: 2027 - 2042

Age of Light 2022

Age of Light refers to our best parcel of Cabernet Sauvignon and is only produced in vintages the winemakers determine worthy of the label. Made in extremely limited quantities, this wine was aged in the best barriques from Bordeaux for 18 months prior to bottling. The 2022 Age of Light comes from our ‘Kids Cabernet’ block, situated directly behind the winery. This tiny parcel was planted in 2017 using clones of 169 & 337 and is limited to just 120 dozen.

Planted with two clones of Cabernet Sauvignon scoured from Bordeaux in France. This vineyard is widely regarded for their ability to emphasise varietal character, which can be challenging to achieve in our dry and warm climate. The fruit for this wine was picked on the 8th of April and fermented in an open fermenter for 9 days prior to pressing. Aged in a mix of new and older French oak barriques for 18 months prior to bottling.

Accolades:
97 Points - The Vintage Journal 
95 Points - Halliday Wine Companion
95 Points - The Wine Pilot
95 Points, Gold - Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters
93 Points - The Real Review Silver - Barossa Wine Show

VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon 100%
VINE AGE: Planted in 2017
REGION: Barossa Valley
SOIL TYPE: Loam over clay
HARVEST: By hand OAK
ORIGIN: French oak barriques
MATURATION: 18 months
WINEMAKER: Tim Dolan & Stephen Dew
CLOSURE: Cork
VEGAN: Yes
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
PEAK DRINKING: 2025 - 2042

Alte Reben 2018

Alte Reben, German for ‘Old Vine’, is a single vineyard Shiraz sourced from the Kaesler estate in Marananga, planted in 1899. The wine was matured in a combination of new and seasoned French Oak for 15 months. Few can boast custody of a nine-acre, single vineyard of Shiraz planted in the nineteenth century – we make the most of it.

Harvested by hand, the grapes spent 7 to 8 days skin contact and during this time the ferment was pumped over twice per day, with the morning being quite robust and just a gentle splash in the afternoon. After pressing we let the wine rest up for a few days before racking into 40% new French barrels, with the remainder being 2 and 3 year old barrels.

VARIETIES: Shiraz 100%
VINE AGE: Planted in 1899
REGION: Barossa Valley
SOIL TYPE: Loam over clay
HARVEST: By hand
OAK ORIGIN: French oak 
MATURATION: 15 months
WINEMAKER: Tim Dolan & Stephen Dew
CLOSURE: Cork
VEGAN: Yes
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
PEAK DRINKING: 2025 - 2040