Kalleske Old Vine Grenache: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Old-vine depth & power

A full-bodied old-vine Grenache with plenty of perfume and more weight than the variety sometimes suggests. Floral notes, raspberries, cherries, musk, clove spice, sarsaparilla and choc mint lead the nose, giving it both brightness and depth. The palate is rich and generous, with plush fruit at first, then a finer structure emerging through the middle. Light natural tannins shape the wine without drying it out, and the finish lingers with pure Grenache fruit and spice. It is unmistakably varietal, but with the extra depth that comes from old dry-grown vines.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Kalleske — a seventh-generation Barossa family estate at Greenock
• Floral perfume, raspberry, cherry, musk, clove spice, sarsaparilla and choc mint
• Single-vineyard Grenache from dry-grown bush vines planted in 1935
• Previous vintages have attracted strong critical attention, including 94 points from Gary Walsh for the 2019 release
• 14.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

Old Vine Grenache 2024 is all about pure varietal expression with extra concentration from old vines. The nose opens with floral perfume, raspberries and cherries, then moves into musk, clove spice, sarsaparilla and a light choc-mint note. The palate is full-bodied and rich, with plush fruit throughout. There is a soft entry, but as it moves across the palate the structure tightens and light natural tannins emerge. That combination keeps the wine generous while still giving it shape and length.

Winemaking

The current Organic Wine page focuses more on the vineyard and tasting profile than detailed cellar work, but the style points to a fruit-led, gentle handling approach that preserves the perfume and purity of old-vine Grenache. There is no obvious oak signature in the tasting notes, and the wine reads as driven by site, fruit concentration and natural structure rather than barrel influence.

Vineyard & Vintage

This wine comes from a low-yielding single vineyard planted in 1935 as bush vines on the Kalleske farm at Greenock in the north-western Barossa Valley. The vineyard is dry grown in shallow sand with light clay subsoil, which helps produce small crops of intensely flavoured fruit. The current release is 2024, and the live page positions it as a distinguished old-vine Grenache that already drinks well but can equally be cellared. The age of the vines is a major part of the story here, bringing depth and concentration without losing varietal clarity.

Why We Love It

This is a strong example of old-vine Grenache with more depth and seriousness than the lighter, juicier end of the category. It stays clearly Grenache in its perfume and spice, but the old dry-grown vines bring extra weight and length. If you want a Grenache with both immediate drinkability and enough structure to hold attention, this does it well.

Food Pairing

The plush fruit and light tannin make this a very adaptable red at the table. It suits roast poultry, grilled pork, lamb and vegetable-led dishes with herbs or char, especially where you want a red with flavour but not hard tannin. Try matching this wine with →

• Roast duck with cherries — Find a Recipe
• Chargrilled lamb skewers — Find a Recipe
• Roast pumpkin with herbs and feta — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A good fit for long lunches, roast-based dinners and occasions where you want something generous and polished without moving into heavier oak-driven reds.

Cellaring

The winery notes that this distinguished Grenache drinks well now but can equally be cellared. That suggests strong short-term appeal with enough old-vine fruit concentration to reward time in bottle.

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. Old Vine Grenache is especially tied to the family’s long farming history, coming from dry-grown bush vines planted in 1935 on the Kalleske farm. That combination of mature vines, low yields and dry-grown fruit gives the wine its concentration and character. As with the wider range, the focus is on vineyard expression first, with the wine shaped to show the site and the variety rather than a heavy-handed winemaking signature.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy this perfumed, old-vine Grenache style, these are worth comparing:

• Same producer, brighter and more immediate Grenache expression — Kalleske Parallax Grenache
• Another old-vine Grenache from a different producer — Yangarra Old Vine Grenache
• Medium-bodied Barossa GSM from the same estate — Kalleske Clarry's Grenache Shiraz Mataro

FAQ

What does Kalleske Old Vine Grenache taste like?

It shows floral perfume, raspberries, cherries, musk, clove spice, sarsaparilla and choc mint. The palate is full-bodied and plush, with a soft opening that firms into fine structure and light natural tannins.

Is this wine dry?

Yes, it is a dry red wine. The fruit is ripe and generous, but the finish is dry and shaped by light natural tannins rather than sweetness.

How full-bodied is it?

This is fuller and richer than many lighter Grenache styles. It has plush fruit and real concentration, but still keeps the aromatic lift and spice that make Grenache distinctive.

Does it need decanting?

It does not demand a long decant, but 20 to 30 minutes in the glass or a decanter will help the floral and spice notes open further. It is already very approachable in youth.

What temperature and glassware work best?

Serve it at around 15–17°C in a medium to large red wine glass. Slightly cooler service helps keep the perfume and freshness clear.

Can this wine be cellared?

Yes. The winery notes it drinks well now but can equally be cellared, which fits the concentration and depth expected from old dry-grown bush vines.

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 duck, lamb, grilled pork and roast vegetables with herbs. Dishes that suit a generous but not heavily tannic red are the best match.

Who is this wine likely to suit?

It will suit drinkers who enjoy Grenache with perfume, spice and more depth than the lightest examples of the variety. If you like old-vine Grenache or want a red that is generous without heavy oak, this is a strong fit.

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