KYSELA PERE ET FILS, LTD.

"This comes off four blocks in the Barossa, and is made in years that are considered worthy. In this case, it's very worthy. Deep purply-red colors. The aroma is immediately captivating with its dark chocolatey fruits, a little mocha, and a touch of cedar. Engaging stuff. And then the palate starts to deliver with its dark plummy richness, a little bit of that licorice nuance and some bright fruity blackberry characters. The oak and tannins have been expertly managed ensuring the wine is perfectly balanced to suit drinking now if you wish, but with the obvious characters to support extended cellaring. - Ray JORDAN"

- Wine Pilot, 96 pts

"The gorgeous fruit richness is wonderfully enhanced by seductive complexity; the fragrant bouquet is filled with aromas of blackberry, potpourri, vanilla, assorted nuts, cake spice and mocha. It's multi-layered with fabulous fruit power and savoury nuances, finishing superbly long and velvety. At its best: now to 2038. - Sam KIM"

- Wine Orbit, 96 pts

"Barossa Shiraz which has spent considerable time both maturing and in bottle in the cellar. Under cork. Dark maroon, this is attractively fragrant with notes of florals, plums, red cherries, cocoa powder, blackcurrants, dried herbs, bay leaves and licorice. A wine of medium length with fine tannins, it does linger attractively. The finish reveals a flick of acidity. A wine full of life with ten to fifteen years pleasure ahead of it. - Ken GARGETT"

 

- Wine Pilot, 95 pts

 "Growers in Barossa for six generations, the Thorn-Clarke family farms close to 600 acres of vines, providing the fruit for this sleek, black-fruited shiraz. It’s silky- smooth, with the concentration and density of flavor that takes the tannins toward blood, iron and sage. A deep, dark wine with pleasure to spare, this begins to show floral scents of roses, then detailed flavors of plums and strawberries after a day open to air. - Joshua GREENE

- Wine & Spirits (December 2023), 93 pts

"The 2019 Shiraz Shotfire Reserve offers a touch more purity and precision, with beautiful red and blue fruits interwoven with sweet spices, menthol, candied flowers, and pepper. It's beautifully textured, has a round, layered mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a salty, lengthy finish. It's a beautifully balanced, elegant Shiraz with tons to love."

- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 93 pts

"Opaque dusty garnet color. Aromas and flavors of milk chocolate and coconut, blackberry syrup, eucalyptus, and pepper bbq sauce with a round, dry-yet-fruity full body and a hot, interesting, medium-long finish that exhibits notes of black berry bbq sauce, mint and eucalyptus, and chocolate sauce and vanilla with chewy, drying, coating tannins and light oak flavor. Knows that it is Barossa Shiraz and wears that moniker proudly tattooed as a sleeve; 10 out of 10 typicity here."

- Beverage Testing Institute (June 2023), 93 pts - GOLD MEDAL - Exceptional

"A deeply fruited, classic shiraz from vineyards at the region's northern extreme, St Kitts and Milton Park in the Eden Valley. Saturated red hue with aromas of macerated black fruits, plums, deep spice, licorice, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf and American oak. That oak comes charging in on the palate, but there is ample fruit weight to support it. Firm, compact tannin provides a base and it's in the classic, muscular Barossan mould."

 - Halliday Wine Companion 2023, 94 pts