A small parcel from the cult Barossan producer, Ben Glaetzer


 

A small parcel from the cult Barossan producer, Ben Glaetzer

 

It has been an age since we last offered Ben Glaetzer's wines. Instead, we have focused our attention on Ben’s sibling, Nick of Glaetzer-Dixon, Tasmania who I have been communicating with regarding his new releases, including the highly anticipated Sur Lie Chardonnay and the new vintages of Avancé Pinot Noir and Überblanc Riesling. Both La Judiths will follow shortly. Samples are en route - Stu and I will report back in the coming weeks.

We also work closely with John Glaetzer, whose work with Wolf Blass has had an undeniable influence in shaping Australian winemaking. He has been making his own John’s Blend for as long as he has for Wolf Blass. John is the uncle to Ben and Nick. Stu has also been in contact with Margarete Glaetzer as we desperately need more John’s Blend. Hopefully, more news to follow next week…

Until then, Ben has the dancefloor all to himself. His stunning 2018’s have lauded some very impressive reviews including 98 points from Joe at Robert Parker.com.

Very best wishes,
Magda

 

Amon-Ra Shiraz is an iconic wine that epitomises Ben Glaetzer’s passion to create wines that are full flavoured, multi layered and intense but still elegant, stylish and finely balanced.

In Egyptian mythology, Amon-Ra is considered to be the king of all gods. The temple of Amon-Ra was believed to be the first temple to ever plant a monoculture vineyard to produce wine for the citizens of the temple. The eye on the front of the label is the all-seeing eye of Horus or wedjat ("whole one") - a powerful Egyptian symbol of protection. It is represented as a figure with six parts, corresponding to what Egyptians regarded as the six senses; touch, taste, hearing, sight, smell and thought. Ben created Amon-Ra Shiraz to appeal to all these six senses.

2018 Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz

98 Points - Joe Czerwinski (robertparker.com) "Certainly one of the best vintages of young Amon Ra I've ever tasted, the 2018 Amon Ra Shiraz is a stupendous effort. From old vines in the Ebenezer section of the northern Barossa, it starts off with a whirlwind of mocha, blackberry and dried spices, then actually gets more red-fruited as it sits in the glass. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated without being jammy or overdone, the wine finishes long and savory, framed by dusty tannins and mouthwatering black olives. Winemaker Ben Glaetzer compares 2018 to 2004 (which continues to drink well). Expect the 2018 to drink well young, but easily age through 2035, perhaps longer."

£260.00 per case (6x75cl) In Bond

Delivery charges apply for all bonded deliveries.

Only 20 cases available.

All orders will be consolidated for transfer / dispatch week commencing 8 February 2021.

 
 

Vintage Information

Viticulture: 100% Shiraz. Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 50-130 years old. Yield 2 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 (95% French and 5% American) and matured on lees to maintain fruit profile and animation. Bottled unfiltered to ensure minimal intervention with the wine’s natural characteristics.

Peak Drinking: 2021-2035. A wine that will develop beautifully with long term cellaring.

 
 
 

Glaetzer Anaperenna is a seamless fusion of the two varieties Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Voluptuous, opulent and yet refined, with a very long and satisfying finish.

The name Anaperenna has been inspired by Anna Perenna, the Roman goddess of the New Year. Anna Perenna symbolises the year's cycle and her name translates as 'enduring year'. Romans honoured Anna Perenna with a festival held on the first full moon of the Roman calendar. On March 15th they would ask Anna to grant them longevity, and a healthy year for each glass of wine they drank on that day. The symbol on the label is the Egyptian Ankh (pronounced: onk). Historically the ankh symbolised sunrise, regeneration, regrowth and renewal.

2018 Glaetzer Anaperenna

97 Points - Joe Czerwinski (robertparker.com) "For the 2018 Anaperenna Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, Glaetzer blended in 18% Cabernet Sauvignon to give the wine increased fragrance and length. The nose is smoky, slightly herbal and marked by sweet cedar- and vanilla-tinged oak, but it also offers great cassis and blackberry fruit. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, the flavors are kept nicely in check by fine-grained tannins. This wine has it all: terrific intensity, complexity, length and texture."

£195.95 per case (6x75cl) In Bond

Delivery charges apply for all bonded deliveries.

Only 20 cases available.

All orders will be consolidated for transfer / dispatch week commencing 8 February 2021.

 
 

Vintage Information

Viticulture: 82% Shiraz and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. 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.

Peak Drinking: 2021-2040. A wine that will develop beautifully with long term cellaring.

 
 
 

Glaetzer Bishop is a true expression of Barossa Shiraz that is elegantly structured with a long finish.

Bishop is the family name of Colin's wife, Judith. Fittingly the sign of Venus, a symbol which has come to represent women and feminine energy, is the centrepiece of the Bishop label. In mythology, the symbol meant the Roman goddess Venus or her Greek equivalent Aphrodite. But the sign has also been linked back to ancient Egypt – a nod to Bishop’s link to Amon-Ra and Anaperenna.

2018 Glaetzer Bishop

Joe Czerwinski (robertparker.com) "All Shiraz, all from the Ebenezer section of the northern Barossa, the 2018 Bishop Shiraz is a super value in the context of Barossa, and Australian Shiraz in general. Matured in only 5% new oak hogsheads, it delivers bountiful cherry and raspberry fruit, accented by hints of mocha and cola. It’s medium to full-bodied, plump and juicy, fruity and lush, but reined in by firm, savory tannins on the long, mouthwatering finish. It should drink well for up to a decade."

All orders will be consolidated and dispatched week commencing 8 February 2021.

 
 

Vintage Information

Viticulture: Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 35-120 years old. Yield 3 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. Extended maceration was employed to enable good tannin development so the wine is soft and approachable early. Matured for 16 months in a mix of 40% new oak and 60% 2-3 year old oak hogshead barrels (90% French and 10% American)..

Peak Drinking: Great drinking now but it can be cellared and enjoyed over the next 10—12 years.

 
 
 

Glaetzer Wallace takes on the traditional Barossa Valley blend of Shiraz and Grenache in a modern way. The Shiraz brings backbone, flesh and body to the wine with the Grenache adding a soft, vibrant juiciness.

Wallace is an ancestral name of Colin's wife, Judith, whose family hail from the old market town of Cupar in Fife, Scotland. Judith's Celtic ancestry is reflected in the three elements of the Wallace symbol - the Celtic cross, thistle and the Celtic knot pattern.

2018 Glaetzer Wallace

Joe Czerwinski (robertparker.com) "Glaetzer’s least-expensive offering is a terrific bargain. The 2018 Wallace Shiraz-Grenache is a 72-28 blend, offering hints of cola and plum on the nose, backed by brighter raspberry and strawberry notes. It’s medium to full-bodied and framed by silky, fine-grained tannins, with a long mouthwatering finish that hints at mocha and wood spice. Drink this beauty over the next 6-7 years."

All orders will be consolidated and dispatched week commencing 8 February 2021.

 
 

Vintage Information

Viticulture: 72% Shiraz and 28% Grenache. Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 50-80 year old Shiraz and 50-100 year old Grenache. Yield 3.5 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: Old vine Barossa Grenache has a liveliness and structure that does not benefit from oak maturation. Oak contact was thus minimised for the Grenache component to preserve the purity and animation of the fruit. The Shiraz was matured for 16 months in 2-3 year old oak hogshead barrels (80% French and 20% American).

Peak Drinking: A wine to enjoy in its youth that will also develop additional complexity over 6 to 8 years of cellaring.