Red Wine Justin Isosceles 2017. Decant 1 hour before serving. Set in the stunning Paso Robles appellation, Justin Winery was founded in 1981 by Justin Baldwin who was one of the first to recognise the exceptional potential of the limestone-rich soils here. Justin’s mission is to create world-class Bordeaux style blends which are very ageworthy and well-structured thanks to the excellent terroir. His best known wine is the Isosceles which became a household name in 1997 when Wine Spectator magazine selected the 1997 vintage as their sixth best wine in the world. The power and impressive build of this charming Cabernet make it a great bottle to keep in the cellar for another decade or so, although it can also be savoured now alongside a prime ribeye steak, barbecued meats, roast beef, or a hearty moussaka or baked pasta dish. The nose is intense and fruit-forward with luscious notes of dark plums, crushed cassis, blackberry and blueberry along with leather, cigar box spice and hints of dried herbs. Big and powerful on the palate, there’s plenty of rich berry fruit, firm tannins, a generous full body, and warming spice, chocolate and tobacco leaf on the long, structured finish. It’s recommended to decant this wine an hour or so before drinking to allow the cuvee to fully open up and express its true beauty.
2017
Red Wine Justin Isosceles 2017
Red Wine Kaesler Odd One Out Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. The Kaesler family have developed a reputation for exceptional old vine Barossa Shiraz thanks to their impressive vineyard holdings which partially date back to the 1890s. But as well as the Shiraz, the family have also helped pioneer Cabernet Sauvignon in the region, arguing that it’s a good match for the Barossa terroir which actually has a cooler climate than many people believe. Since the estate’s main focus is on Shiraz, by the time the Cabernet is ready to be brought into the winery it is already full of Shiraz. So Kaesler usually only ferments one tank of these precious grapes which go into this handsome Odd One Out” cuvee. It’s made in a richer, juicier style than Cab from cooler parts of Australia, but Kaesler likes to say this makes the wine more approachable and delicious even when young. Powerful dark fruit notes of cassis, plum, and wild berries immediately burst out of the glass, while the first sip reveals a robust full body, firm tannins, and a well-built structure. The intense core of dark fruit and subtle freshness on the finish make this a great wine to enjoy now alongside barbecued ribs, steak, or other hearty red meat dishes.
2017
Red Wine Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz 2017. The Kaesler family are well known in the Barossa Valley for their ancient vines which include the original vineyards planted by the family back in the 1890s. Today the estate includes some 92 acres of vineyards in the Barossa Valley which are farmed according to regenerative agricultural practices. This approach seeks to improve the quality of the land so it can be passed on to future generations in the best condition possible. This Old Vine Shiraz is a great introduction to the Kaesler style with enough power and balance to age beautifully in the cellar or to be enjoyed now alongside hearty dishes. The fruit is sourced from some of the family’s older vines which produce tiny yields of fantastically-concentrated grapes. These are carefully vinified in the winery and then aged in French oak barrels for 14 months to mature. With a deep inky red hue in the glass and enticing notes of cassis, plum and dark cherry on the nose, this punchy Shiraz is sure to please lovers of big, bold reds. On the palate there’s a bold full body, solid tannins, and a long finish peppered with spice, toasted oak, and hints of dark chocolate.
2017