NOTES

In South Australia's Barossa Valley, the Kalleske family have been farming and growing grapes since 1853 near the village of Greenock.  After five generations of growing grapes, winemaker and sixth generation family member, Troy Kalleske, together with his brother Tony, established the Kalleske winery and made the first ‘Kalleske’ wine. The winery is situated on the family estate where traditional winemaking techniques ensure the vineyard realises its full potential as wine.

JMK Shiraz VP is a luscious fortified Shiraz grown and vintaged on the Kalleske family farm at Greenock in the North-Western Barossa Valley.  This wine is dedicated to fifth generation grape grower, John Malcolm Kalleske (JMK), who has tended the Kalleske family vineyards for more than 50 years.  The vineyard for this special wine was hand pruned and harvested by John.  JMK Shiraz reflects the dedication of John and the generations before him to the treasured Kalleske vineyard.     

Kalleske JMK Shiraz VP is sourced from select blocks of the Kalleske vineyard, including the renowned ‘Greenock’ block.  The vineyard blocks consists of shallow, sandy loam soil over superb deep red clay and limestone, providing ideal conditions for Shiraz vines. 

Grapes are harvested in numerous batches over one week providing differing sweetness and complexity for the finished wine.  Following harvest, the grapes are fermented in open top fermenters with hand pump-overs twice a day.  Sweetness and flavours of the fermenting grapes are closely monitored and when at desired levels for each batch, at 4-5 days after harvest, a portion of free-run juice is drained from the fermenters and fortified to arrest the fermentation and retain some natural grape sweetness.  A combination of young and old (up to 15 years) brandy spirit is used to fortify the wine, ensuring added complexity.  Following fortification, the wine is matured in well seasoned hogsheads for 2 years.  At this time, only the very best barrels are selected to be included in the bottling of this liqueur Shiraz.

TASTING NOTES

The 2006 growing season was interesting and diverse and can’t be summed up as cool, hot, wet or dry as it was all of these in one! Spring and early Summer were extremely wet and windy and this was then followed in mid January by the biggest heat wave since the 1940s. Fortunately this heat was early enough in the season to not be detrimental. After this heat, cooler conditions prevailed to the end of Summer. Another warm and dry period in early Autumn helped the grapes ripen and mature good flavours. Cool, wet conditions prevailed late in the season resulting in vibrant fresh fruit flavours being retained and predominating in the grapes.

JMK Shiraz VP is deep red-black in colour. On the nose there are enticing aromas of dark chocolate, clove, anise, cinnamon, rose and plum. These superb pure fruit flavours continue to the mouth-filling palate which

is rich, luscious and full bodied with great intensity. Moderate sweetness and balanced alcohol give a harmonious palate with a velvety mouthfeel. A persistent finish completes this classy wine that whilst can be enjoyed now will benefit from a decade or two in the cellar.

OTHER REVIEWS

Kalleske… 5 star winery… outstanding winery capable of producing wines of very high quality…” James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion, 2008 Edition

Not only is this the cutest bottle going, but the contents are pretty special as well- closer to the elegant, not-too-sweet Portuguese styles than the lolly reds that masqueraded as local vintage port for so many years. This is plush, chocolatey and seamless. Ken Gargett, Don’t Buy Wine Without Me, 2008

A special new wine to honour John Malcolm Kalleske, sourced from a single vineyard hand pruned by JMK himself, who has been tending the organically grown family vineyards for more than 50 years,  The JMK is the family’s first fortified shiraz with young and 15-year-old brandy spirit providing complexity to the natural grape sweetness.  Luscious and lip-smacking mouthfeel, this is a liqueur Shiraz ideal to finish a family celebration lunch or dinner. Ross Noble, The Courier, 22 August 2007