Keith Tulloch
“The Kester” Shiraz has been a Keith Tulloch flagship Hunter red since its first Vintage in 1998.
“The Kester” is a 100% single vineyard wine from one of the most highly respected heritage-listed vineyards in the Hunter Valley. These vines are over 70 years of age, and consistently produce the highest quality, classic Hunter Valley fruit signatures.
Keith Tulloch is a fourth generation Hunter Valley Winemaker, so the soils of Pokolbin and the wines of the Hunter Valley run deep in his blood. Keith also had vintage experience with Paul Jaboulet in the Rhone Valley of France, observing the winemaking techniques behind the famous “La Chapelle”.
"The Kester" name honours the Tulloch "dynasty"; it is the maiden name of Keith's Great-Great-Grandmother & the middle name of the first Keith Tulloch winemaker, Keith's great uncle - Keith Kester Tulloch.
Kester is immense, full bodied and age-worthy starting with its vibrant, youthful black/red color. Heady aromas of super-ripe black cherry, juicy blood plum and licorice combine with intense black chocolate and black pepper.
These dense characters combine on the palate with amazing brightness and tightness, finely woven elements of dark spice, gentle black fruits, and deluxe French oak.
The deep, velvety tannin underpin these rich flavors with superb balance and length. The harmony is remarkable, and the length is sublime. This is a great wine, with potential for cellaring beyond twenty years. The spicy depth of fine oak tannin on the palate, and their integration with the fruit is seamless at this stage of the wine's long journey. Complexities aside, the long velvety line of energetic flavor is exciting to behold; this wine will go all the way.
Located further up the Hunter Valley from the Estate in Pokolbin, this vineyard enjoys hotter and drier weather, allowing the fruit to ripen further and generate unrivalled varietal power and tannin development. “The Kester” always exhibits the richness, complexity, and balance that is classic “Hunter Burgundy” in style.
After vintage experience with Paul Jaboulet in the Rhone Valley (France), and having been able to observe the making of “La Chapelle” close-hand, Keith's winemaking incorporates similar Rhone Valley techniques for flavor complexity and palate length.
Matured for 20 months in a mixture of fine French oak barriques.
Keith now incorporates similar Rhone Valley winemaking techniques for flavor complexity and palate length. Sourced from old, dry-farmed Hunter Valley vineyards, the Shiraz grapes are fermented with a trace of Viognier in open vats for 4 weeks, with plunging by hand. It is matured for 20 months in a mixture of fine French oak barrels..
| Color |
Red |
| Vintage |
2011 |
| Style |
Red Rhône |
| Appellation |
Hunter Valley |
| Varietal |
Shiraz |
| Date Bottled |
10th Mar 2014 |
| Drinkable |
2014 - 2030 |
| Alcohol |
14.50% |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| PH Level |
3.50 |
