Kalleske Moppa Shiraz 2025: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Powerful, Plush & Full-Bodied

A deep, concentrated Barossa Shiraz with ripe plum, blueberry pie and dried fruit layered with dark chocolate, smoky oak, floral perfume and anise. The palate is full-bodied and powerful, with dense, bright fruit supported by firm, finely integrated tannins. Rich and generous with impressive structure, it carries its intensity through a long, polished finish.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Estate-grown at Moppa in the north-western Barossa Valley
• 96% Shiraz, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Viognier
• Ripe plum, blueberry pie, dried fruit, dark chocolate and anise
• Full-bodied and powerful with firm, integrated tannins
• Sourced from more than 12 vineyard sites, with the oldest vines planted in 1961
• Wild fermented and matured for 14 months in oak hogsheads
• 14.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

Midnight black in the glass with a vivid purple rim, Moppa Shiraz opens with an intensely expressive bouquet of ripe plum, blueberry pie and dried fruit. Dark chocolate, smoky oak and anise add richness, while a fragrant floral note lifts the deeper fruit.

The palate is full-bodied, plush and concentrated, with bright fruit driving the wine from its first impact through to the finish. Plum and blueberry sit over layers of chocolate, spice and oak, while firm, finely integrated tannins provide a strong structural frame. The finish is powerful, polished and impressively long.

Why We Love It

Moppa Shiraz captures the richness and power of Barossa Shiraz while retaining fragrance, brightness and shape. The small additions of Viognier and Petit Verdot work quietly in the background: Viognier lifts the perfume, while Petit Verdot adds colour, depth and tannin.

The fruit is dense and generous, but the tannins and oak give it definition rather than heaviness. This is a satisfying Shiraz for lovers of deep, concentrated reds, with enough polish to enjoy now and the structure to develop beautifully in the cellar.

Winemaking

The Shiraz was harvested in separate small batches between 18 February and 12 March 2025. One parcel of Shiraz was co-fermented on Viognier skins to lift the wine’s perfume, while the late-ripening Petit Verdot was harvested on 21 March.

Each batch underwent wild fermentation in open-top fermenters, with hand pump-overs performed twice daily. After seven to fourteen days on skins, the fruit was traditionally pressed and transferred to oak hogsheads for 14 months.

Approximately 20% new French, American, Hungarian and Romanian oak was used, with the balance matured in seasoned barrels. The Shiraz, Shiraz-Viognier and Petit Verdot parcels were blended after maturation to build aromatic lift, depth and structure.

Vineyard & Vintage

Moppa Shiraz is drawn from more than 12 vineyard sites across the Kalleske family’s certified organic and biodynamic estate in the north-western Barossa Valley. The oldest vines used in the blend were planted in 1961.

The low-yielding vines grow in shallow sandy loam over deep red clay. These soils naturally restrict vigour while providing moisture-holding capacity beneath the surface, producing Shiraz with deep colour, concentrated fruit and firm structure.

The 2025 growing season was warm and dry, with winter-to-summer rainfall reaching around two-thirds of the long-term average. Significant September frosts reduced yields, while above-average spring and summer temperatures brought Kalleske’s earliest start and finish to harvest since winemaking began on the estate in 2002.

Lower yields and steady ripening produced intensely flavoured fruit with excellent colour, concentration and tannin maturity.

Food Pairing

The concentrated dark fruit, firm tannins and smoky oak make Moppa Shiraz a natural partner for rich, savoury dishes. Match it with slow-cooked beef, lamb shoulder, barbecued meats, roast mushrooms or mature hard cheeses.

Try matching this wine with →

• Slow-cooked beef cheeks — Find a Recipe
• Slow-roasted lamb shoulder — Find a Recipe
• Barbecued beef brisket — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A bold red for slow dinners, winter gatherings and evenings built around good food. Open it when the meal is rich, the conversation is unhurried and a lighter red simply will not do.

Cellaring

Moppa Shiraz is generous and expressive now, particularly after decanting, and has the concentration and tannin structure for medium- to long-term cellaring. Enjoy it over the next ten years as the primary fruit develops deeper savoury, chocolate and spice characters.

Producer

Kalleske is a seventh-generation family-owned winery based at Greenock in the Barossa Valley. The family has farmed the property since 1853, with brothers Troy and Tony Kalleske continuing the family tradition of growing and making wine entirely from their own estate vineyards.

The vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic, with farming centred on soil health, biodiversity and long-term resilience. Synthetic herbicides and systemic chemical treatments are avoided, while composting, grazing animals and biodynamic preparations support a balanced vineyard ecosystem. Every Kalleske wine is grown, made and matured on the family estate, allowing close control from the vineyard through to the finished bottle.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy powerful, full-bodied Shiraz with concentrated dark fruit and firm structure, these are excellent next bottles to explore:

• Single-vineyard biodynamic Shiraz from McLaren Vale — Paxton Quandong Farm Shiraz
• Same producer, youthful Shiraz without oak maturation — Kalleske Zeitgeist Shiraz
• Same producer, fragrant and juicy Grenache-led blend — Kalleske Clarry’s Grenache Shiraz Mataro

FAQ

What does Kalleske Moppa Shiraz 2025 taste like?

It tastes of ripe plum, blueberry pie and dried fruit, with layers of dark chocolate, smoky oak, floral perfume and anise. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated, with firm, integrated tannins and a long finish.

Is Kalleske Moppa Shiraz dry or sweet?

It is a dry red wine. Its ripe fruit and full body create richness, while firm tannins and savoury oak keep the finish structured and dry.

Is Moppa Shiraz made entirely from Shiraz?

The blend contains 96% Shiraz, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Viognier. Petit Verdot adds depth, colour and tannin, while Viognier contributes aromatic lift.

Is Kalleske Moppa Shiraz certified organic and biodynamic?

Yes. The fruit is grown in Kalleske’s certified organic and certified biodynamic estate vineyards in the Barossa Valley.

Is Kalleske Moppa Shiraz vegan suitable?

Yes. Kalleske Moppa Shiraz is vegan suitable and is made without animal-derived fining agents.

How much alcohol is in Kalleske Moppa Shiraz 2025?

Kalleske Moppa Shiraz 2025 contains 14.5% alcohol by volume.

Is Moppa Shiraz a full-bodied wine?

Yes. It is a full-bodied, powerful Shiraz with concentrated fruit, prominent structure and firm tannins. The floral lift and bright fruit keep the wine balanced despite its intensity.

Should Kalleske Moppa Shiraz be decanted?

Yes. Decanting for around one hour will help soften the youthful tannins and open the plum, blueberry, chocolate and floral aromas.

How long can Kalleske Moppa Shiraz 2025 be cellared?

It has the fruit concentration, tannin and oak structure to develop over the next ten years. Store bottles lying down in a consistently cool, dark place.

Who will love Kalleske Moppa Shiraz?

This wine suits drinkers who enjoy full-bodied Barossa Shiraz with deep fruit, dark chocolate, smoky oak and firm tannins. It is ideal for anyone looking for a powerful organic red with genuine cellaring potential.

(SKU: KA_MOP_CV)