Kalleske CCCLXV Durif: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Deep, Dark & Brooding

A dense, full-bodied Durif with inky colour, dark fruit depth and serious structure. Expect blackberry compote, plum jam and cassis, backed by ripe fig, a touch of blood orange, violet and dark spice. The palate is powerful and firmly built, with bold natural tannins and a long, dry finish. With no oak influence, the fruit, grip and varietal character stay front and centre.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Kalleske — a seventh-generation Barossa family estate farming at Greenock since 1853
• Blackberry compote, plum jam, cassis, fig, blood orange and violet
• Single-vineyard Durif from low-yielding vines in shallow sandy loam over deep red clay
• Previous releases have attracted strong critic attention, including 92 points from Huon Hooke and 91+ points from The Wine Front and Wine Assist
• 15.0% ABV

Tasting Notes

CCCLXV is a concentrated, dark-fruited red with plenty of varietal weight and structure. Blackberry compote, plum jam and cassis lead, followed by ripe fig, dark spice and a faint floral lift. There is also a subtle blood orange note that gives some freshness to the profile. The palate is dense and chewy, with strong natural tannins carrying the wine through a long, dry finish. It is a powerful style, but the fruit remains clear and well defined.

Winemaking

The name CCCLXV refers to 365 days on skins. After harvest, the fruit was wild fermented with hand pump-overs, then left on skins for a full year before pressing. Native malolactic fermentation followed, and the free-run and pressings were combined, settled, racked and bottled. No oak was used, which keeps the emphasis on fruit concentration, tannin structure and the natural character of the variety.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from a single Kalleske vineyard at Greenock in the Barossa Valley. The vines are low yielding and planted in shallow sandy loam over deep red clay, a soil profile well suited to producing concentration and structure. The 2024 season was described as excellent, with drier and slightly warmer winter and spring conditions leading into an early season, followed by a mild and steady ripening period. That combination has produced a wine with strong depth, ripe fruit and solid balance.

Why We Love It

This is a powerful, site-driven red that shows what Durif can do when handled with intent. The year-long skin contact builds depth and tannin, while the absence of oak keeps the fruit profile clear and the structure honest. It’s a distinctive Barossa red with real cellaring potential.

Food Pairing

This is a wine for robust, full-flavoured food. It works well with slow-cooked meat, chargrilled dishes and earthy vegetable-based plates that can handle its tannin and density. Rich sauces, pepper, smoke and savoury depth all suit the style. Try matching this wine with →

• Slow-braised beef cheeks — Find a Recipe
• Charred eggplant with tahini and pomegranate — Find a Recipe
• Pepper-crusted mushroom burgers — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A strong choice for winter dinners, slow-cooked meals and occasions that call for a serious red with depth and staying power.

Cellaring

This is approachable now with a decent decant, but it is built to age. The winery recommends drinking it over the next 10–20 years under good cellaring conditions. Over time, the fruit should move into a more savoury register and the tannins should settle further.

Producer

Kalleske is one of the Barossa’s long-established family producers, farming at Greenock since 1853. The estate is run by seventh-generation family members and was certified organic and biodynamic in 1998, making it one of the early leaders in regenerative farming in the region. All fruit is estate grown, and the wines are closely tied to individual vineyard sites and traditional, low-intervention methods. CCCLXV reflects that approach clearly: single-vineyard fruit, native fermentation, extended skin contact and no oak, all aimed at showing the grape and site without unnecessary polish.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy this bold, structured style, these are good wines to compare:

• Same producer, richer oak-aged Durif expression — Kalleske Buckboard Durif
• From Kalleske, brighter red-fruited contrast — Kalleske Parallax Grenache
• Natural, no-oak Barossa Shiraz from the same estate — Kalleske Zeitgeist Shiraz

FAQ

What does Kalleske CCCLXV Durif taste like?

It is a dense, full-bodied Durif with blackberry compote, plum jam, cassis and fig at the core. There are also notes of blood orange, violet and dark spice, with a long, dry finish and firm tannin.

What is Durif?

Durif is a deeply coloured red grape variety originally developed in France, but it has found a strong home in warm Australian regions. It is known for producing full-bodied wines with dark fruit, firm tannin and plenty of structure, which is why it suits drinkers who enjoy powerful, cellar-worthy reds.

Is Kalleske CCCLXV Durif sweet?

No, it is a dry red wine. The fruit is very ripe and concentrated, which can give a sense of richness, but the finish is dry and structured rather than sweet.

How full-bodied is this wine?

This sits firmly in the full-bodied category. It has substantial weight, concentration and tannin, so it is better suited to drinkers who enjoy bigger red styles.

How much tannin does it have?

Tannin is a major feature of the wine. The extended skin contact gives it a strong, chewy structure, though a little air helps bring the wine into better balance.

Should this wine be decanted?

Yes, decanting is recommended. Around 30 to 60 minutes will help open the fruit and soften the tannin profile, especially if drinking it young.

What is the best serving temperature and glassware?

Serve it at around 16–18°C in a large red wine glass. This gives the wine enough room to open up and keeps the alcohol and tannin in better balance.

Can this wine be cellared?

Yes. The winery suggests a drinking window of 10–20 years, and the wine has the concentration and structure to support that.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

It is not a preservative-free wine. Like most wines, it contains naturally occurring sulphites, and the winery notes minimum sulphites rather than zero sulphur.

Is this wine vegan friendly?

Yes, it is listed as vegan suitable. It is also certified organic and certified biodynamic.

What food works best with this wine?

This style suits slow-braised beef, lamb, game, mushroom dishes and chargrilled vegetables. Foods with depth, protein and savoury richness are the best match for its tannin and weight.

Who is this wine likely to suit?

It will appeal to drinkers who enjoy powerful Barossa reds with dark fruit, firm tannin and plenty of structure. It is less about easy drinking and more about depth, intensity and cellaring potential.

If I like big Shiraz, will I like this?

Probably, yes. It offers the same sense of power and ripeness, but with a darker profile, firmer tannin and less oak influence than many full-bodied Shiraz styles.

(SKU: KA_CDur_CV)