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Glaetzer by Ben Glaetzer


If you haven’t picked up the Glaetzer wines of late, it’s time to revisit them. Not because a great deal has changed in the philosophy and winemaking but because they are wines made from beautifully tended old vines and the quality of fruit is divine. Ben continues his father’s grand dreams of producing super boutique premium wine under the family label whilst adding his own modern flair for texture and thoughtful oak handling. 

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2021 Wallace Shiraz Grenache 

You know this wine or no doubt you’ve seen its eye-catching label with a Celtic symbol, the ruby cross somehow draws you in and says “Drink me, I’m delicious” and delicious it is.  This vintage is made up of 84% Shiraz and 16% Grenache from excellent stock of old vine material. We are talking about Shiraz vines between 50-80 years old and Grenache of 50-100 years in age. No question this is skillfully blended with the aromatics of deep brooding and concentrated blackberry, plum and mulberry with the added lift and exotic red berried spice that elevates the drinkability of the wine. The Glaetzer style of generosity remains but with a floral elegance and successful restraint. Juicy, bold and almost too delicious to share. Drink alone with the Proclaimers blaring on your sound system. 93 Points

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2021 Bishop Shiraz

After some challenging vintages the Celtic gods smiled upon the Barossa and you can see that joyous effect in the mild conditions that brought forth the best of this old vine material. This is 35 to 120 year-old Shiraz vines in the Ebenezer sub district matured for 16 months in a mix of 40% new oak and 60% seasoned French hogsheads. Juniper, black cherry and dark plums meet with black forest cake, soft licorice and cassia bark. The tannins are fine and silky with dark bitter chocolate and black peppercorn that showcases the Northern arena. A wine that really delivers both in fruit weight and fine structure for a minimal price tag. Drink with juicy lamb cutlets dipped in red wine jus with your fists just like a Norse-Gaels viking.  92 Points

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2021 Anaperenna Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

This vintage sees 79% Shiraz from 30-100 year old vines blended with 21% Cabernet Sauvignon from 30-130 year old material. Low yielding, concentrated fruit that shows up in perfectly ripe blackberries, black cherry and kalamata olive. Thistle, fresh sage and rosemary stem is greeted by Nigella seeds, star anise and graphite. You can feel the palate weight of small and potent berries with a seamless line of acidity and finely meshed tannins. Almost impossible to depict where Shiraz and Cabernet combine, it’s a tale of two friends that mirror each others’ gestures in a complementary style. This is a wine that will age gracefully over a decade but for those that love the richness of youth can drink now. I’d pour this with a juicy aged rib eye and potato fondant. 94 Points

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2021 Amon-Ra Shiraz

This is the cream of the crop and the wine that Ben hangs his hat on for full-flavoured, multi-layered, elegant and finely balanced Barossan Shiraz. Vine age is between 50-130 years from Ebenezer. I can liken the experience of this wine to unwrapping those mixed berry fruit roll ups as a child. The sticky chew and snap of intensely flavored blackberry and raspberry that dreams are made of but this is a grown up dream. The experience lasts beyond when you’re finished drinking with cassia bark, black pepper and vanilla bean. It’s full of power and depth with tannins that intertwine between perky acidity and layer upon layer of fruit and spice. It’s savoury and detailed and just a total pleasure to drink. Pour this in your best glasses with someone that deserves a treat. 95 points

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