BEN GLAETZER 2009 VINTAGE, BAROSSA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA
January 2011
When wine writer Robert Parker awarded Ben Glaetzer’s Amon-Ra Barossa Shiraz 2005 a score of 98/100, he confirmed the wine’s place and that of its winemaker amongst the world’s best, including first-growth Clarets meriting similar scores.
Parker’s endorsement followed enthusiastic acclaim from reviewers around the world, including Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson, and James Halliday, as well as a Gold medal at the International Wine Challenge Awards. Ben’s other wines, including Anaperenna and Bishop, have earned similarly spectacular international praise.
All this attention and limited supply mean that older vintages sell for considerably more than their release price (Ben spotted Amon-Ra ’03 in an LA wine shop at $1500 per bottle). This makes our pre-arrival offer every autumn the opportunity to acquire the wines at the best prices, and there is still some stock of the eagerly-anticipated 2009 vintage available for not much more than the opening offer.
As in Bordeaux, 2009 has caused much excitement in Barossa, following the small 2007 and 2008 vintages. Having tasted the wines, we can confirm that they’re truly outstanding – full, rich and velvety, with a natural easiness that will make them irresistible when young yet (theoretically) capable of long ageing.
Wines available are listed below. To place your order, or to request further information please e-mail Tom King at kingt@greatwesternwine.co.uk.
WINES
Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz Grenache 2009
£61 per half-dozen case, under bond
(Now also available to buy by the bottle online - please click here)
The 2009 Wallace Shiraz is a blend of 75% Shiraz and 25% bush vine Grenache from 60-80 year vines. Matured for 14 months in 2-3 year barrels, it gives a deep garnet-purple color and intense blackberry and black raspberry aromas with supporting notes of chocolate, earth, salami and anise. The palate is well structured with firm fine tannins, high acid and ample flesh, finishing medium-long. Drink it now to 2015. - 88/100, Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate December 2010
Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz 2009
£94 per half-dozen case, under bond
(Now also available to buy by the bottle online - please click here)
The 2009 Bishop Shiraz is 100% Shiraz coming from 35-120 year vines. It was aged 14 months in oak: 30% new, 90% French and 10% American. Deep garnet-purple in color, it has pronounced pepper and spice aromas over blackberries and black currant plus a bit of Mediterranean herbs. Full-bodied, crisp with just enough flesh, it has firm fine tannins and a long finish. - 89/100, Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate December 2010
Anaperenna Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
SOLD OUT
Blended of 76% Shiraz and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2009 Anaperenna Shiraz Cabernet presents a very deep purple-black color and pronounced aromas of black cherries and blackberries with an undercurrent of coffee, aniseed, damp loam, chocolate, cloves and menthol plus a hint of cedar. Very crisp, full and rich on the palate, it has firm very finely grained tannins, commendable concentration and a long bramble fruit finish. Drink it now to 2022+. - 94/100, Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate December 2010
Amon-Ra Shiraz 2009
£240 per half-dozen case, under bond
£300 per half-dozen case, duty paid including VAT
The 2009 Amon-Ra Shiraz displays a very deep purple-black color and floral notes of violets and wilted rose petals over mulberries, blueberries, star anise, mocha, fenugreek, cumin seeds, cloves and tree bark plus some toasty oak. Full-bodied and rich yet not overly so, it has refreshingly crisp acid and firm grainy tannins texturing the long spicy finish. Give it at least 2 years more in bottle and consider drinking it 2013 to 2024+. - 96+/100, Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate December 2010
To place your order please e-mail Tom King at kingt@greatwesternwine.co.uk
