2025 Agricola K' Sands Shiraz

97 pts
Made from Barossa vines planted as far back as 1864, K' Sands is Agricola's most profound and demanding Shiraz.

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Description

Some of these vines were planted in 1864. Asbroek's plot is one of the most extraordinary old vine sites in the Barossa, with the ancient plantings blended alongside vines that are a mere fifty years old. K' Sands has always been the most singular and demanding wine in the Agricola range, and the 2025 is the most serious expression of it yet.

The dry, concentrated 2025 season has amplified what this vineyard does naturally: depth, intensity and a tannic grip that is serious and uncompromising. This is Shiraz that operates at the outer limits of the variety, with an exotic, almost cross-varietal character that Callum has leaned into rather than tried to tame. It's unlike most things you'll taste from the Barossa.

Dark, dense and rich on the palate, with firm, structured tannins and real length. A wine of considerable power and presence, and one of the finest Barossa Shiraz you're likely to try. Cellar this.

97 points
"Groaning under its grip and guttural grind, a very serious shiraz of depth, richness... Astonishingly evocative and satisfying as a meaty red, but so compelling, again, for its originality and fruit driven excellence."
- Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

97 points - "This is a mesh of old and very old vines in Asbroek’s plot from around 1864 and then some of their mere 50 year old vines. The K’ Sands wines have often been out of the box in the best sense, wrought with serious tannin, exotic in character, accordingly compelling. I wrote a few releases ago “it seems to mesh the personalities of pinot noir, nebbiolo and nerello mascalese with heartier shiraz…” and that couldn’t be more apt again, though this is the most (excellent) and firmly tannic expression of K’ Sands yet.

Groaning under its grip and guttural grind, a very serious shiraz of depth, richness, warm forest berry fruit character, garam masala spice, new leather, dried rose petal notes – all of this captured in a dart-shaped sluice that finishes gradually palate staining, inky and earthy-spicy. The texture is all firm slate and finely crushed rock; immensely satisfying and refreshing despite the inherent heft and intensity of the impossibly midnight black fruit contained within. A flicker of game meat, smouldering eucalyptus leaves and twigs as seasoning. Astonishingly evocative and satisfying as a meaty red, but so compelling, again, for its originality and fruit driven excellence." - Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

2025 was an early and dry harvest, with low yields leading to concentrated flavours and striking natural acidity. With the concentration of flavour and tannin profile these wines are built well for the cellar.

This harvest has seen a new addition of an old vine Flaxman shiraz and riesling site. I had worked with Chris and Anthony Steinert’s vineyard in the past and prior to vintage they asked if I was interested in working with them again. It has been a pleasure to be reacquainted with their 100-year-old, dry grown vines on the hillside of the southern Flaxman Valley.

The resulting shiraz wine from this site expresses a brighter side of Flaxman Valley compared to our elevated rocky hillside at home and Naimanya. These wines seemed to show best on their own, so it was decided to bottle two Flaxman shiraz wines this year: ‘Naimanya & Home’ and then ‘Seeliger’, which is named after the Steinert’s ancestors who planted their vineyard over 100 years ago.

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type Red
Body Full Bodied
Variety Shiraz
Country Australia
Region Barossa Valley
Australian State SA
Feature High Score
Reviewed By The Wine Front
Critic Score 97
Alcohol 14%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2025
Closure Cork

Agricola

Agricola Vintners, led by Callum Powell, marks a new chapter in the Powell family's history in the Barossa Valley. After working alongside his father, Dave Powell of Torbreck, Callum now creates his own legacy, sourcing fruit from family vineyards and renowned sites like Hoffmann.

Callum’s winemaking journey started in childhood and includes valuable experiences in the Rhône Valley with Jean-Louis Chave. This background instills a deep respect for terroir in his work in Barossa and Eden Valleys.

At Agricola Vintners, Callum focuses on Shiraz, using minimal intervention to let the fruit shine. His wines blend grapes from exceptional vineyards, resulting in complex, vibrant flavors without heavy oak influence.

Callum employs 100% whole bunch fermentation and natural processes, maturing wines on gross lees for 12 months. This approach produces bright, expressive wines that capture the essence of the Barossa with a fresh perspective.

Callum Powell with his dog at his tiny Barossa winery Agricola

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