2002 Kaesler, Old Bastard, Barossa Valley

Robert Parker 96

The flagship offering, the 2002 Shiraz Old Bastard was fashioned from a vineyard planted in 1896, and was cropped at one ton of fruit per acre. It spent 22 months in French oak before being bottled with neither fining nor filtration. A spectacular perfume of raspberries, plums, blackberries, espresso, vanilla, and charcoal is followed by a tannic Shiraz with a huge palate, massive concentration, tremendous richness, and a multidimensional flavor profile. Less alcoholic (15.2%) than The Bogan, it should be cellared for 4-6 years, and consumed over the following 20-25. While the 2002 is a brilliant effort, it is not quite as massive as the 2001 … but that’s splitting hairs. Importer: Benjamin Hammerschlag, Epicurean Wines, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 923-1376 [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 25/10/2004]

Anticipated maturity: 2008-2033