Kalleske TKX2 Sparkling Shiraz: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Rich & celebratory

A full-bodied sparkling Shiraz with deep colour, fine mousse and proper Barossa weight. Black forest fruits, cedar, chocolate, cherry, liquorice, olive and savoury spice lead the nose. The palate is rich and lively, carrying juicy dark fruit, subtle oak, fine natural tannins and gentle sweetness, all wrapped in a creamy bead. It feels generous and festive, but it is still structured and balanced, with a long, persistent finish that keeps the wine from feeling clumsy or overdone.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Kalleske — a seventh-generation Barossa family estate at Greenock
• Black forest fruits, cedar, chocolate, cherry, liquorice, olive and savoury spice
• Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling Shiraz with two years on yeast lees
• Finished with dosage made from estate-grown Shiraz liqueur
• 13.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

TKX2 opens with black forest fruits, cedar, chocolate, cherry, liquorice, olive and savoury spice. The mousse is fine and creamy rather than frothy, which helps the wine feel more integrated and serious. On the palate it is rich and full-bodied, with juicy dark fruit, subtle oak and fine tannins giving shape beneath the sparkling texture. There is gentle sweetness, but it is well judged and balanced by structure and savoury depth. The finish is persistent, rounded and very Barossa in feel.

Winemaking

TKX2 is made from estate-grown Shiraz that spent one year maturing in barrel before tirage. It was then made by the traditional bottle-fermented method and matured on yeast lees in bottle for two years. The wine was finished with dosage using estate Shiraz liqueur before final release. That process gives the wine its creamy mousse, depth and integration while keeping the fruit profile intact.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from the Kalleske family estate at Greenock in the Barossa Valley, where the family has grown grapes for more than 150 years. TKX2 marks the estate’s first Sparkling Shiraz release, with the name derived from Tony and Troy Kalleske: TK + TK = TKX2. The 2021 base wine has the weight, ripe fruit and savoury edge needed for the style, while the extended lees ageing brings extra complexity and texture.

Why We Love It

This is sparkling Shiraz done properly. It has the generous dark fruit and festive appeal people want from the style, but it also has enough structure, mousse quality and savoury detail to feel considered rather than novelty-driven. It works as a celebration bottle, but it also has enough depth to take seriously at the table.

Food Pairing

The mix of dark fruit, gentle sweetness and fine tannin makes TKX2 flexible with richer food. It suits glazed meats, festive roasts and savoury bites with a touch of spice or sweetness. It also works well with chocolate-based desserts if you want to take it in that direction. Try matching this wine with →

• Christmas ham glaze — Find a Recipe
• Pork belly bites — Find a Recipe
• Chocolate cherry tart — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A very good bottle for celebrations, festive meals and winter entertaining when a standard sparkling white would feel too light.

Cellaring

TKX2 drinks well now and can be cellared over the medium term. The traditional-method build, dark fruit depth and balanced dosage give it enough structure to hold and evolve.

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. TKX2 represents a newer chapter for the estate: its first Sparkling Shiraz, released around twenty years after Kalleske’s first table wines. Even so, the wine is still rooted in the same family approach of estate-grown fruit, practical cellar work and a strong sense of Barossa identity. The traditional bottle fermentation and extended lees ageing add complexity, but the wine still reads clearly as Kalleske and clearly as Shiraz.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy this rich sparkling red style, these are worth comparing:

• Another sparkling red from a different producer — Spring Seed Wanderer Sparkling Red
• From the same producer, full-bodied Shiraz with more still-wine structure — Kalleske Greenock Shiraz
• Same producer, fortified Shiraz for another rich after-dinner option — Kalleske JMK VP Shiraz (Fortified) 375ml

FAQ

What does Kalleske TKX2 Sparkling Shiraz taste like?

It shows black forest fruits, cedar, chocolate, cherry, liquorice, olive and savoury spice. The palate is rich and full-bodied, with juicy dark fruit, subtle oak, gentle sweetness and a creamy mousse.

Is this wine sweet?

It has gentle sweetness, but it is not syrupy. The dosage and ripe fruit add roundness, while tannin, mousse and savoury notes keep it balanced.

How full-bodied is it?

This is a full-bodied sparkling red. It has more palate weight and structure than sparkling rosé or sparkling white, which is part of the appeal of the style.

Does it need decanting?

No. It should be served straight from the bottle to preserve the mousse and freshness.

What temperature and glassware work best?

Serve it lightly chilled, around 10–12°C, in a larger sparkling wine glass or even a medium-sized red wine glass. That gives the aromatics more room than a narrow flute.

Can this wine be cellared?

Yes, over the medium term. The bottle fermentation, lees ageing and depth of fruit mean it will hold and evolve beyond immediate drinking.

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 ham, glazed pork, festive savoury dishes and chocolate-based desserts. Foods that can handle both richness and a little sweetness are the best match.

Who is this wine likely to suit?

It will suit drinkers who enjoy sparkling Shiraz, richer festive styles and full-bodied sparkling reds with real structure. If you like the combination of dark fruit, mousse and savoury spice, this is a strong fit.

(SKU: KA_TKX2_CV)