Kalleske Dodger Tempranillo: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Savoury & finely structured

A light to medium-bodied Barossa Tempranillo with lifted aromatics, savoury detail and a very clear structural line. Garden herbs, wildflowers, warm spice, rusty steel, wet earth, rhubarb, mixed berries and a hint of umami-rich soy sauce rise first. The palate opens with crunchy red cherry fruit, then moves into a savoury black olive core. Firm steely tannins provide the backbone, while bright, punchy acidity keeps the wine precise and energetic. It is varietal, composed and distinctly savoury rather than plush.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Kalleske — a seventh-generation Barossa family estate at Greenock
• Garden herbs, wildflowers, warm spice, wet earth, rhubarb, mixed berries, black olive and soy
• Single-vineyard Tempranillo from the newest variety planted on the Kalleske property
• Wild fermented with submerged skins and matured for a year in seasoned French oak hogsheads
• 13.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

Dodger 2024 is a savoury, finely built Tempranillo with more lift than weight. Garden herbs, wildflowers, warm spice, rusty steel, wet earth, rhubarb, mixed berries and a hint of soy sauce make the nose layered and distinctive. The palate is light to medium-bodied, led by crunchy red cherry fruit before shifting into a savoury black olive note. Firm steely tannins bring shape and precision, while bright acidity keeps everything moving. The finish is long and satisfying, showing varietal character with finesse rather than excess.

Winemaking

The grapes were picked on 1 March 2024 and destemmed into an open-top fermenter. The must was wild fermented for 14 days with submerged skins via a heading-down screen. After pressing off skins, the Tempranillo was filled to seasoned French oak hogsheads where it underwent natural malolactic fermentation in barrel. Dodger then matured in barrel for a year prior to bottling.

Vineyard & Vintage

Dodger is a single-vineyard Tempranillo grown on the Kalleske property at Greenock. This block is the newest variety on the estate. The hand-pruned vines are low yielding and grown in sandy loam with quartz and ironstone over deep red clay. The 2024 growing season was excellent, with drier, slightly warmer winter and spring conditions leading to earlier vine development, followed by average summer temperatures, timely rainfall and no extreme heat. Ripening stayed steady through to a mild mid-autumn finish, and quality was superb.

Why We Love It

This is a strong example of Tempranillo done in a more savoury, structural mode. It has enough fruit to stay appealing, but the real interest comes from the herbs, olive, steel-like tannin and bright acidity. For drinkers who want a red with shape and food-friendliness rather than sheer plushness, it works very well.

Food Pairing

The savoury profile and firm tannin make Dodger a natural match for tapas-style dishes, grilled meats and tomato-based food. It also works well with foods that pick up the olive, herb and earthy notes in the wine. Try matching this wine with →

• Patatas bravas — Find a Recipe
• Chorizo and chickpeas — Find a Recipe
• Grilled lamb skewers — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A good bottle for tapas nights, grilled dinners and occasions where you want a red with savoury detail and plenty of shape without moving into a heavier style.

Cellaring

Dodger drinks well now and can be cellared confidently over the next eight years, from 2025 to 2033.

Producer

Kalleske is a seventh-generation family estate at Greenock in the Barossa Valley, farming continuously since 1853. The vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic, and all fruit is estate grown. Dodger takes its name from the vineyard implement used to remove weeds from around vines while dodging the trunks themselves — first horse drawn, later tractor pulled, but still part of the family’s natural weed-control approach. Like the rest of the range, the wine is grown, vintaged and matured on the Kalleske property, with traditional winemaking and a clear emphasis on varietal expression.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy this savoury, medium-bodied Tempranillo style, these are worth comparing:

• Another Tempranillo from a different producer — Tamburlaine Point 65 Tempranillo
• From the same producer, structured Cabernet with a similarly savoury frame — Kalleske Merchant Cabernet Sauvignon
• Another medium-bodied, spice-led red from Kalleske — Kalleske Clarry's Grenache Shiraz Mataro

FAQ

What does Kalleske Dodger Tempranillo taste like?

It shows garden herbs, wildflowers, warm spice, wet earth, rhubarb, mixed berries and a hint of soy sauce on the nose. The palate is light to medium-bodied, with crunchy red cherry fruit, black olive savouriness, steely tannins and bright acidity.

Is this wine dry?

Yes, it is a dry red wine. The residual sugar is about 0.6 g/L, so it finishes firmly dry.

How full-bodied is it?

This sits between light and medium-bodied. It has plenty of structure and flavour, but it is not a broad or weighty red.

Does it need decanting?

No long decant is needed, but 15 to 20 minutes in a glass or small decanter helps the savoury and floral notes open further.

What temperature and glassware work best?

Serve it at around 15–17°C in a medium to large red wine glass. That helps keep the fruit bright and the tannins in proportion.

Can this wine be cellared?

Yes. Kalleske recommends drinking it now or cellaring it confidently through to 2033.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

It is not a No Added Preservative wine, so it does contain sulphites. Some occur naturally during fermentation, and certified organic and biodynamic wines are made under lower permitted sulphite levels than conventional wines.

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?

It works well with tapas, chorizo, grilled lamb, tomato-based dishes and foods with herbs or olives. The savoury edge and firm structure make it especially food-friendly.

Who is this wine likely to suit?

It will suit drinkers who enjoy savoury medium-bodied reds with structure, spice and freshness. If you like Tempranillo with more olive, herb and earth than overt sweetness, this is a strong fit.

(SKU: KA_TEM_CV)