The Moppa district was a flourishing settlement of pioneering farmers and gold miners. When the Kalleske vineyard was established in 1853, there were few schools in the region, so local parents established the Moppa Public School to provide their children with a formal education. Located right on the Kalleske property, generations attended this school until its closure in 1935. Sourced entirely off the Kalleske Certified Organic Moppa Vineyard, a trace of Viognier and Petit Verdot are added to Shiraz, achieving a stylish and contemporary edge.
Shiraz is harvested off low yielding vines planted to shallow, sandy loam over deep red clays. A component of Viognier is picked and set aside for co vinification. Petit Verdot is a late ripener and remains on the vine slightly longer. All batches are given a warm vinification in open top fermenters while being treated to a course of manual pumpovers twice daily. After a week or two on skins, ferments are traditionally pressed and transferred to a selection of new and seasoned French and American and Hungarian oak hogsheads. After thirteen months maturation, a small portion of Petit Verdot and Viognier are assembled into the final wine for added complexity before bottling without fining or filtration.
Dense purple indigo colour. Dark cherry niotes, blond tobacco, fruit cake and blueberry, anise and a hint of cinnamon. The palate is a burst of pure fruit complimented by subtle background oak. Dark, rich and full bodied yet elegant and sophisticated. Layers of fleshy red and black fruits together with floral notes, balanced by fine, slightly minerally tannins adding a seamless structured backbone. A very lengthy finish completes this generous wine.
