Amon-Ra by Ben Glaetzer 2018 South Australia Barossa Valley
Amon-Ra by Ben Glaetzer 2018 South Australia Barossa ValleyAmon-Ra by Ben Glaetzer 2018
Midnight black with inky purple tones. An enticing combination of blue and black fruits with notes of espresso and dried spice. Rich and deep yet bright and fresh. Multilayered flavours of nutmeg,
cloves with brooding dark berry fruit and firm tannins of exceptional length. A wine that will develop beautifully with long term cellaring over decades.
The irrepressible Ben Glaetzer is the driving force behind Glaetzer Wines. Ben graduated in winemaking from Adelaide University in South Australia after working at Barossa Valley Estate during school and university holidays.
After travelling extensively throughout many of the worlds wine regions, Ben returned to the Barossa and joined the family company. Ben’s ability to blend traditional winemaking techniques with a modern flair is reflected in the style of wines under the Glaetzer label. He makes unique, elegant wines with minimal intervention, which are regarded as classics and unmistakably Barossan.
Anaperenna by Ben Glaetzer 2018 Barossa Valley South Australia
Anaperenna by Ben Glaetzer 2018 Barossa Valley South Australia
Variety:
82% Shiraz / 18% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyards:
Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at
the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 30—100 year old Shiraz and
30—130 year old Cabernet. Yield 2.5 tonnes per hectare.
Vintage Conditions:
The growing season started well with above average winter rainfall but was
followed by well below average spring and summer rainfall coupled with warm
temperatures. Fortunately our vines were in perfect balance with healthy
canopies assisting even ripening and fruit flavour development. Harvest
commenced very early in late January. Calm Indian summer conditions began
in early March which were perfect for finishing off vintage. The resultant 2018
wines are of exceptional quality featuring intense depth of colour, astounding
aromatic purity plus richness and brightness on the palate.
Vinification:
Fermented in 1 and 2 tonne open fermenters, hand plunged 3 times daily.
Matured for 16 months in 100% new oak hogshead barrels (92% French and
8% American) and matured on lees to maintain fruit profile and animation.
Bottled unfiltered to ensure minimal intervention with the wine’s natural
characteristics.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Dark purple hues frame a depth of black.
Aroma: Complex layers of black fruits with a slight herbal lift and notes of anise
spice.
Palate: Hints of dark cherry and dried spice with seamlessly integrated tannin.
Peak Drinking: A wine that will mature extremely well with long term cellaring
up to 20 years.
The first Glaetzers settled in the Barossa Valley in 1888 after emigrating from Brandenburg, Germany. The family left Germany on board the Nord-Deutscher Lloyd steamer “Habsburg” and took seven weeks to reach their final destination of Port Adelaide. From here they settled in a country town called Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley where they started their new life in Australia. The family were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley.
Over a century later, winemaking patriarch Colin Glaetzer established Glaetzer Wines, a boutique family owned winery producing premium Barossa Valley wines. Today Colin’s son Ben carries on the wine making traditions at Glaetzer Wines. Indeed it was the birth of Glaetzer Wines that signalled a new era for Colin’s family which boasts more than its fair share of winemakers.
Barossa Boy Little Tacker GSM 2017 South Australia Barossa Valley
Barossa Boy Little Tacker GSM 2017 South Australia Barossa ValleyBarossa Boy Little Tacker GSM 2017. The Barossa Boy Little Tacker GSM offers a modern approach to a classic Barossa blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. Aromas of fresh raspberry, lavender and milk chocolate. The palate is generous and textured with ripe fruits of the forest, earthy notes of dark chocolate, toasty vanilla oak and a savoury finish.
Bishop by Ben Glaetzer 2018 South Australia Barossa Valley
Bishop by Ben Glaetzer 2018 South Australia Barossa ValleyBishop by Ben Glaetzer 2018 Dark purple, almost impenetrable colur with black fruit aromas abound. Dark plums and blackberry notes intermingle with anise and fresh spice. Bright and juicy with a wonderfully rich mid-palate that maintains balance and finishes with texture. Flavours of dried spice and dark berry fruits add
freshness and dimension. Great drinking now but this wine will also benefit from 10—12
years of careful cellaring.
Charles Melton Cabernet 2016 South Australia Barossa Valley
Charles Melton Cabernet 2016 South Australia Barossa ValleyCharles Melton Cabernet 2016 bouquet opens with some delicious, fine, cedary new French oak character, combined with some cigar box and leafy classic Cabernet aromas. The palate has real focus and balance not in the blockbuster manner, but more a weighty yet fine boned style with quite apparent but really fine tannin structure to finish off one of the picks of the vintage.
Charles Melton La Belle Mere GSM 2017 South Australia Barossa Valley
Charles Melton La Belle Mere GSM 2017 South Australia Barossa ValleyCharles Melton La Belle Mere GSM 2017 – Charlie Melton was one of the first to appreciate the overlooked value in Barossa’s old vineyard Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre. At a time when others were pulling out such vineyards to plant more fashionable varieties, Charlie was convincing farmers to keep their historic plantings. He was one of a small group of winemakers who helped retain the viticultural heritage of Barossa Valley. A soft, plump palate of traditional Barossa ripeness and plummy, festive cake spice, currants and dark fruit, a finish of luscious, rounded tannins underpinning soily Barossa goodness.
Charles Melton Nine Popes 2016 South Australia Barossa Valley
Charles Melton Nine Popes 2016 South Australia Barossa ValleyThe 2016 Nine Popes was given a final polish in 100% new French oak puncheons for 60% of the blend. This wine to wood ratio has the effect of giving an almost gossamer-like dusting of new oak to the wine, rather than a solid hit which is exactly how we want it for the Popes. A deepish colour but not black, as is typical of Grenache wines. There is some real tar and roses complexity and a little hint of Eden Valley ironstone. This is a structured, spicy Popes that will sweeten and flower with time and remain rich and plush in the Popes tradition.Mid to deep red with just a hint of amber edge, typical of Grenache. The initial aromatic is showing less Mediterranean garrigue and herb but more of sweet talc and salted caramel perfume. Some nice sweet cedar adds complexity but the 2015 vintage is less wild gypsy and more almost pinot like sweet red fruits.
Displaying the characteristics of the 2015 vintage, more fluidity plumper and open weave in texture. Similar to 2005 or 2009 but with less masculinity and a little more finesse.
Cirillo 1850 Ancestor Grenache 2014 South Australia Barossa Valley
Cirillo 1850 Ancestor Grenache 2014 South Australia Barossa ValleyThis ancient Grenache block is one of the viticultural gems of Australia. Gnarled old bush vines planted in 1850, and arguably the oldest continuously producing Grenache vines in the world. The things they’ve seen from their low, sandy vantage point. It boggles the mind.
The Cirillo 1850 Grenache 2014 has been a long anticipated release. Marco Cirillo says he learnt plenty about picking the 2011 (cooler) vintage of this wine. He learnt he could pick a little earlier, look for more freshness, and still keep the weight and power that comes from 160+ year old vines.
It’s a special wine, no doubt about it. A rarity in all the world to have a wine made from vines this old. A great year for this great site and Marco in career best form. It’s a winning combination.
Cirillo Shiraz 2018 South Australia Barossa Valley
Cirillo Shiraz 2018 South Australia Barossa ValleyCirillo Shiraz 2018 – made with grapes sourced from high altitude vines from Steingarten on the border of Barossa and Eden Valley ranges.
With open fermentation, natural yeast , basket pressed and then matured in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months.
The colour is dark, ink-like in appearance. It displays earthy spice driven aromas, with hints of berry fruits. Soft and delicate on the palate, typical of shiraz from this region.
It carries mid-palate weight, with a lengthy finish that lingers in the mouth for some time. This wine can be enjoyed now or over the next decade or two.
