The 2022 Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz is one of the most powerful and iconic old-vine Shiraz wines from the Barossa Valley, produced from tiny yields of ancient vines planted in 1893. Crafted by Kaesler Wines, this flagship release represents the pinnacle of the estate’s old-vine winemaking, combining immense concentration with remarkable balance and longevity.
The “Old Bastard” vineyard is composed of dry-grown, low-yielding bush vines that consistently produce fruit of extraordinary depth and intensity. The 2022 vintage delivered exceptional purity and structure, allowing the wine to achieve both richness and precision while retaining freshness and composure.
In the winery, fruit was hand-harvested and fermented in small open fermenters with meticulous extraction to preserve texture and complexity. Maturation took place in premium French oak barrels, including a high proportion of new oak, building further depth, spice, and structural integration.
The wine opens with a profoundly concentrated bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, dark plum, and black cherry, layered with notes of dark chocolate, espresso, liquorice, exotic spice, and subtle earthy savouriness. The palate is full-bodied and immensely powerful, with dense dark fruit concentration, velvety tannins, and exceptional persistence. Despite its scale and richness, the wine maintains impressive balance and definition, hallmarks of truly great old-vine Barossa Shiraz.
Still youthful and tightly structured, the 2022 Old Bastard Shiraz demands extended decanting if enjoyed now and will reward patient cellaring over 25–40+ years, developing extraordinary tertiary complexity over time.
A monumental Barossa Valley Shiraz and one of Australia’s great old-vine wines.
