Kalleske Fordson Zinfandel: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Juicy & easygoing

A medium-bodied Barossa Zinfandel with vibrant fruit, soft tannins and an easy, open feel. Floral notes and lifted red and blue fruits lead the aromatics, with strawberry, cranberry and boysenberry joined by savoury herbs, anise and a gentle touch of wintergreen. The palate is generous and juicy, delivering bright, crunchy berries from start to finish. Silky mild tannins frame the fruit without constricting it, while seasoned oak rounds the wine and keeps the finish long, balanced and harmonious. It is expressive and very approachable, but still properly varietal.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Kalleske — a seventh-generation Barossa family estate at Greenock
• Floral lift, strawberry, cranberry, boysenberry, savoury herbs, anise and wintergreen
• Single-vineyard Zinfandel grown, vintaged and matured entirely on the Kalleske property
• Matured in seasoned French and American oak hogsheads for classic structure and softness
• 14.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

Fordson 2024 is vibrant and inviting from the first pour. The aroma shows floral lift and red-blue fruit brightness, with strawberry, cranberry and boysenberry layered over savoury herbs, anise and a hint of wintergreen. The palate is medium-bodied and juicy, with crunchy berry fruit carrying right through. Silky, mild tannins keep the shape gentle rather than firm, and seasoned barrel maturation gives the wine a rounded structure without overshadowing the fruit. The finish is long, smooth and thoroughly harmonious.

Winemaking

The grapes were harvested on 18 March and pressed seven days later, with pump-overs employed twice daily while on skins in an open-top fermenter. Following pressing, the wine was matured in seasoned French and American oak hogsheads for a year prior to bottling. That élevage softens the palate and adds shape, while still allowing the bright varietal fruit to remain clear.

Vineyard & Vintage

Fordson is a single-vineyard Zinfandel from the Kalleske property, with hand-pruned, low-yielding vines grown in shallow sandy loam over deep red clay. The 2024 season was excellent: winter and spring were drier and slightly warmer than average, leading to earlier budburst, flowering and veraison. Summer brought refreshing rainfall, average temperatures and no extreme heat, while autumn stayed warm then finished mild, allowing steady ripening through to mid-autumn. Yields were around average and quality was superb.

Why We Love It

This is a very approachable take on Zinfandel. It keeps the bright-fruited, generous feel that makes the grape easy to like, but the savoury herbs, gentle oak and silky tannin stop it from becoming simple. For drinkers who want a softer, juicy red with real character, it works beautifully.

Food Pairing

The juicy fruit and mild tannin make Fordson flexible at the table. It suits grilled pork, burgers, smoky chicken and Mediterranean-style vegetable dishes, especially where you want a red with flavour but not too much grip. Try matching this wine with →

• Pork ribs with barbecue glaze — Find a Recipe
• Chargrilled chicken thighs — Find a Recipe
• Roasted capsicum pasta — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A very easy red to pour for casual dinners, shared platters and nights when you want something generous, smooth and immediately likable.

Cellaring

Fordson is ready to enjoy now and will drink beautifully over the next five years.

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. Fordson takes its name from the Fordson Major tractor that arrived on the family property in 1950, replacing nearly a century of horse power and becoming an integral part of vineyard and farm life. The wine reflects that same practical estate mindset: single-vineyard fruit, traditional open-top fermentation and seasoned oak maturation, all handled on the Kalleske property.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy this juicy, medium-bodied red style, these are worth comparing:

• From the same producer, savoury medium-bodied Tempranillo with more structure — Kalleske Dodger Tempranillo
• Another bright easy-drinking red from a different producer — Tamburlaine Point 65 Malbec
• Same producer, fresher lighter Grenache expression — Kalleske Parallax Grenache

FAQ

What does Kalleske Fordson Zinfandel taste like?

It shows floral lift, strawberry, cranberry, boysenberry, savoury herbs, anise and a touch of wintergreen. The palate is medium-bodied and juicy, with bright crunchy berries, silky tannins and a long harmonious finish.

What is Zinfandel?

Zinfandel is a red grape known for generous fruit, spice and a naturally plush feel, but it can be made in different styles depending on where it is grown and how it is handled. In Italy, the same grape is known as Primitivo. In this case, Kalleske Fordson shows a brighter, more savoury side of Zinfandel, with juicy berry fruit, herbs and soft tannin rather than a heavier jammy style.

Is this wine dry?

Yes, it is a dry red wine. The residual sugar is about 1 g/L, so it finishes firmly dry.

How full-bodied is it?

This sits in the medium-bodied range. It has generous fruit and softness, but it is not a heavy or dense red.

Does it need decanting?

It does not need a long decant. A quick splash in the glass is enough if you want the floral and herbal notes to open a little further.

What temperature and glassware work best?

Serve it at around 15–17°C in a medium red wine glass. That keeps the fruit bright and the softer tannin profile in balance.

Can this wine be cellared?

Yes, over the short term. Fordson drinks well now and will continue to drink beautifully over the next five years.

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 pork ribs, grilled chicken, burgers, pasta and Mediterranean-style dishes. Foods that suit a juicy red with mild tannin are the best match.

Who is this wine likely to suit?

It will suit drinkers who enjoy juicy, medium-bodied reds with bright fruit and easy drinkability. If you like softer reds with plenty of flavour but not too much heaviness, this is a strong fit.

(SKU: KA_ZIN_CV)