Calliope is the name of the original vineyard established by Reginald Langdon Buller in 1921. Calliope is also the Buller estate flagship, reserved for outstanding vintages. Wine grapes have been grown at Rutherglen since first settlement, arguably the world's most precious enclave of old pre phyloxera vines, many thanks to the world's oldest quarantine. Rutherglen is famous throughout the world of wine, Calliope continues to endure as a wine of concentrated dark plum and brambleberry fruit, supported by the most statuesque, lingering tannins.
A hybrid grape with a curious history, Dr Durif originally crossed Shiraz with Peloursin in France during the latter part of the nineteenth century, creating a wonderfully fungus resistent varietal. The resultant wines proved not to be to French tastes and the Durif grape found it's way to vineyards in the new world. The Calliope property is famous for producing memorable, full bodied red wines, the most precious parcel of the Buller vineyards. The quality of Durif, picked off the distinguished Calliope block makes an outstanding wine, immediately evident even as the grapes are crushed. Components are matured two years in a selection of the most extravagant oak barrels and puncheons.
Almost opaque black colour, dark crimson at the rim. Sweet black berry fruit nose, a whiff of violets. Intense palate, flavours of sweet black berry fruits are joined by big grippy tannins. As the tannins slowly fade, they reveal notes of liquorice, tobacco and vanillin oak. Finish is long and lingering, as the sweet viscous fruit character returns. A Rutherglen of controlled intensity and might, seamlessly layered with profound tannin structure.
