Kaesler Avignon 2012

The wine was medium ruby in color. Medium plus intensity of aromas showing primary characteristics of blueberry, black cherry, red plum, violet, black pepper, and dried herbs as well as secondary notes of charred wood and vanilla. Really nice nose. I was searching for Eucalyptus or other markers typical of Australian Grenache and Shiraz but just didn’t get them.

Structurally, it was dry with medium acidity and soft, round medium tannins. Noticalble high alcohol and a medium plus body. Despite its eight years of age, it still showed bright primary fruit on the palette. The wine had medium plus intensity of blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, violet, black pepper, charred wood, vanilla, and smoke. The finish was pretty good with a medium plus length.

The alcohol was a little bit out of balance with the acid and tannins. The medium plus finish was a good length. The oak was well integrated but the alcohol was not as well integrated. The intensity of aromas and flavors of primary and secondary notes on the palate show very nice complexity. Overall, the quality of the wine was good.

The primary characteristics of this wine are still showing nicely. The wine does not have the acid and tannin levels to improve with age and the alcohol will not come back into balance. It will continue to hold but the wine is not suitable for aging.