Kaesler Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 from the Barossa Valley is a rich, full-bodied expression crafted from a brilliant vintage where cool, dry conditions produced exceptional quality across the region’s often-overlooked Cabernet plantings. Red-purple with a dark centre, complex aromas of blackberry, plum, kirsch and lavender combine with vanilla and hints of spicy sandalwood oak, while the palate reveals rich intense black fruit flavours melding into chalky tannins with leafy characters providing freshness. Hand-harvested at ultimate fruit sweetness from estate vineyards, the wine fermented separately on skins for nine days before 20 months in new and one-year-old French oak barriques.

This Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon pairs brilliantly with lamb and other red meats where its chalky tannins and rich fruit cut through fatty cuts, while hearty mushroom dishes allow the wine’s earthy complexity to shine through. The complex structure suggests excellent cellaring potential for many years, with soft supple tannins ensuring easy drinking in its youth or careful ageing rewards.

The Kaesler Cabernet 2021 showcases what careful handling can achieve with Barossa’s lost child variety, delivering dark chocolate nuances alongside silky to slightly chalky tannins that balance the intense blackcurrant fruit. At 14.5% alcohol, this represents outstanding value for a serious Barossa Cabernet built for the long haul.