Glaetzer 2010 reds

Amon Ra Sexy packaging

Approaching a trio of wines like this can be a problematic exercise. Problematic largely as the wines and the brand carry with them so much preconception and (perhaps price driven) gravitas that you’re always conscious about getting your assessment right. To further muddy the waters I also realise that personally I’m rarely a fan of the flashy, ‘hugs for Robert Parker’ skewed style of wine that these three wines are built in, a consideration that makes objectivity even more of a challenge.

To be fair however these are skillfully made reds, produced from high quality grapes and beautifully packaged. I just wish they’d been picked a little earlier…

Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz 2010 (Barossa Valley, SA) 15.1%
Carries a very jammy, plum/strawberry jam nose that had me thinking about donut jam. The palate though is raw, hard and boozy, the edges firm and the acid all added. All architecture, not enough freshness though the oak is top shelf and for many the concentration will absolutely woo. Way too alcoholic though. 15/85

Glaetzer Anaparenna Shiraz Cabernet (Barossa Valley, SA) 15.1%
Thick, rich and heady, the nose has ultra sexy cocoa powder oak. Fruit looks fresher here, the Cabernet lending some mint and cedar. Still carries that sweet black richness of the Bishop but longer and more savoury. There’s still a warming, fanning heat through the long finish that I wish would go away.  Good, old vine Barossan red (with that inky depth of old vine stuff) if just a bit too warmish for big love. 17.7/92+

Glaetzer Amon Ra Shiraz 2010 (Barossa Valley, SA) 15.1%
Super sexy oak. Seductive oak. Rich, choc milk and licorice nose. Serious old vine limitlessness about it. Big plush and dense palate with hints of overripeness at the edges but so impressively concentrated. Acid again is spiky, length is excellent alcohol a burn. 98% a superstar, if it could just shed that porty edge. Still an impressive wine in it’s mode (and will no doubt impress further with bottle age. I still couldn’t actually drink it… 18.2/93