Shiraz/Syrah

Region: Australia

Grape variety: Shiraz

Tasting notes: A deep and inky red in colour, Dry River Shiraz displays a nose of smoky rich fruits with a touch of mint. Smooth and rich on the palate with spicy flavours of luscious dark berry fruits, the balanced tannins help to deliver a tremendously concentrated finish.

VEGAN

Region: Australia

Grape variety: Shiraz

Tasting notes: Deep and inky in colour this wine displays a nose of rich ripe plum and blackcurrant flavours with a touch of mint. These grapes are picked at optimum ripeness and blended to create an approachable soft and fruity wine. Smooth and full bodied on the palate with spicy flavours of dark berried fruit, velvety tannins and a long lingering finish.

VEGAN

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: A family-owned boutique winery producing premium Barossa Valley wines. Ben Glaetzer makes unique, elegant wines which are treated as classics. Ben has previously won the Qantas Young Winemaker of the Year and in 2005, he was inducted as the youngest ever member of the Barons of the Barossa, a special Wine Fraternity of industry personalities.

Tasting notes: This is Ben Glaetzer’s flagship wine and highlights the balance between the fruit and tannins. Darkly concentrated and rich, yet poised and elegant. Notes of black cherry, black liquorice and blackcurrant lead to an impressive long finish.

Awards

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: A family-owned boutique winery producing premium Barossa Valley wines. Ben Glaetzer makes unique, elegant wines which are treated as classics. Ben has previously won the Qantas Young Winemaker of the Year and in 2005, he was inducted as the youngest ever member of the Barons of the Barossa, a special Wine Fraternity of industry personalities.

Tasting notes: The colour is deep inky red with purple hues. An explosion of brooding dark tones with bright cassis and coffee bean hints. Subtle richness with flavours of dark plum and blackberry intermingled with dark chocolate and dried spice. Generous yet restrained tannin provides exceptional palate length and persistence.

Awards

Robert Parker 2023 Wine Advocate Review Erin Larkin - 92 Points: Glaetzer Bishop 2021 - “The 2021 Bishop Shiraz is pristine, supple and concentrated. There are layers of mulberry, raspberry and salted liquorice (red liquorice, too) in the mouth, shaped by fine, pliable tannins. It is bendy like high-jump poles. This is really great value for money. It is reliably high quality, delivering a modern, satisfying Barossa experience. What more do you want?  Drink Date 2023 – 2031”

Robert Parker 2022 Wine Advocate Review Erin Larkin - 92 Points: Glaetzer Bishop 2020: “This 2020 Bishop Shiraz is a saturating and pure example of Barossa Shiraz, from a warm, compacted and low yielding vintage. The wine in the glass is the very essence of Barossa, with red, earthy tannins, spicy/toasty oak and a fruit profile that spans red, purple and black. Really well done. Delicious. Drink Date 2022 – 2032.”

Robert Parker 2021 Wine Advocate Review Joe Czerwinski - 91 Points – Glaetzer Bishop 2019: “The 2019 Bishop Shiraz is all Shiraz and all from the Ebenezer district of the northern Barossa Valley. Aged almost exclusively in second, third and fourth use oak (mostly French), it features slight herbal overtones to the black cherry and black olive notes. It’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, supple, generous and reasonably concentrated, folding in hints of peppery spice and mocha shadings on the velvety, mouthwatering finish.”

VEGAN

Region: Australia, Langhorne Creek

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: A collaboration of industry veterans Ben Glaetzer, Scott Collet, Grant Tilbrook and Nick Keukenmeester who have developed Heartland into an award-winning winery, since producing the first vintage in 2001. They embrace the best Australian fruits and create wines of balance and texture with a uniquely Australian identity.

Tasting notes: The deep colour gives a clue to the concentration of aromas and flavours to follow. Dark cherry and blackberry fruit dominate the nose with undercurrents of black liquorice and pepper. The palate brings to mind a berry compote enriched by elusive hints of spice. Directors’ Cut Shiraz is famous for its poise and balance and this vintage is no exception.

Reviews

Rating 94 James Halliday Wine Companion, July 26, 2014: "Thick oak and thick dark fruit. Shoot first, ask questions later. Coconut, chocolate, mint and toast notes are slathered on saturated blackberry and plum. Tannin is not impeccable but it roars through the wine with impressive force. Big-boned, big-bodied wine."

Rating 4.5/5 Tony Love's TOP 100 Wines, The Advertiser Special Edition, July 19, 2014: "From older vineyards in a crackingly good regional vintage, this shows a bit of oak, but it's very good French wood, adding pepper, anise and nutmeg-like spices to accentuate the shiraz aromatics with earthy and mineral layers also in play. Flavour, flavour, flavour - delicious, intense and sophisticated."

VEGAN

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: The Barossa is famous for its viticulture, history and winemaking dating back to the 1840s. At its heart is the Valley Floor, a highly-prized strip of viticultural land which is the very foundation and forms the essence of this wine. A true taste of the Barossa.

Langmeil’s history dates back to 1842 and the winery now draws on Barossa’s cultural beginnings and combines it with world-class winemaking. Its flagship, Freedom Shiraz, comes from what is believed to be the oldest Shiraz vines in the world, dating back to 1843. Old Barossan vines are a trademark of the winery, as are Chief Winemaker, Paul Lindner’s minimal intervention techniques.

Aging: 15% new American oak, 85% seasoned American and French oak hogsheads. Twenty-four months spent in oak.

Tasting notes: Medium to deep crimson with purple hues. Rich and lifted aromas of Satsuma plum, mulberry and floral notes mingle with sweet spice, chocolate and savoury hints. Rich, plumy fruit and sweet spice balanced by soft velvety tannins. A complex, medium to full bodied wine showing hints of mocha, bramble and vanilla which flow through to the lengthy, fruity, peppery and spicy finish.

Food pairing: Stir-fried beef with basil, American style slow cooked ribs, Sunday roast, and mature cheddar.

Awards

Halliday Wine Companion 2024 - Dave Brookes 2023 - 91 Points

Global Syrah Masters - Drinks Business 2023 - Gold Medal

Vinous.com - Angus Hughson 2023 - 90 Points

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: Langmeil’s history dates back to 1842 and the winery now draws on Barossa’s cultural beginnings and combines it with world-class winemaking. Its flagship, Freedom Shiraz, comes from what is believed to be the oldest Shiraz vines in the world, dating back to 1843. Old Barossan vines are a trademark of the winery, as are Chief Winemaker, Paul Lindner’s minimal intervention techniques.

Tasting notes: Intense, with sharply focused red plum, raspberry and roasted red pepper flavours that race over refined tannins and persist into the long, vivid finish. Very full bodied and powerful in the mouth, the rich is offset by very crisp acidity and a medium to firm level of grainy tannins.

Awards

Robert Parker Wine Advocate - Joe Czerwinski 2021 - 95 Points

The Real Review - Huon Hooke 2021 - 95 Points

Global Syrah Masters 2020 - Gold

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: Langmeil is home to The Freedom Shiraz, believed to be planted in 1843 by vigneron Christian Auricht. Escaping war and persecution in Prussia, Auricht travelled to his new homeland, finding freedom in the Barossa Valley. The original plantings still survive and are some of the oldest and rarest vines in the world.

Aging: 50% new and 50% seasoned French oak hogsheads and barriques. Twenty five months spent in oak.

Tasting notes: Deep crimson. An intense aroma of ripe Satsuma plum, mocha, vanilla and savoury notes combine with hints of cedar and sweet spices. Rich, sweet fruit is balanced wonderfully with briary and sweet spices and lovely, silky tannins. A full-bodied, textural wine, showing great complexity with hints of cedar and allspice flowing through to the lengthy, brambly fruit finish.

Awards

Vintage 2017

Global Syrah Masters 2019 - Silver

Vintage 2015

The Wine Advocate - Joe Czerwinski 2018 - 96 Points

The Wine Front - Gary Walsh 2018 - 85 Points

Global Syrah Masters 2018 - Gold

International Wine & Spirit competition 2018 - Gold

Region: Australia, McLaren Vale

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: Started by the late Doug Collet in 1973, Woodstock in McLaren Vale has always had an eye on the future. As well as red, white and rose wines, Woodstock has a ken focus on fortified wines too. When his son and current owner, Scott took over in 1982, the tradition has continued with fine wine making from the old vines on the property. Ben Glaetzer is now the chief winemaker with Scott managing vines – a winning team as shown by the Heartland range.

Tasting notes: When tasting this Shiraz, generosity of colour and flavour are clear and evident. The vibrant, floral and spicy bouquet brings together both red and black fruits like cherries and plums. The classic McLaren Vale earthiness comes through on the palate which balances the fruit concentration and the soft yet structured tannins.

Food pairing: Best served with char-grilled or roast beef served with pepper sauce and wilted baby spinach or a selection of cured meats and smoked cheddar.

VEGAN

Region: Australia, McLaren Vale

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: Started by the late Doug Collet in 1973, Woodstock in McLaren Vale has always had an eye on the future. As well as red, white and rose wines, Woodstock has a ken focus on fortified wines too. When his son and current owner, Scott took over in 1982, the tradition has continued with fine wine making from the old vines on the property. Ben Glaetzer is now the chief winemaker with Scott managing vines – a winning team as shown by the Heartland range. Named after a set of medieval wooden leg stocks which stand in the town of Woodstock in Oxfordshire, England, “The Stocks” Shiraz is Woodstock’s flagship wine. This single vineyard Shiraz is made from 31 rows of low-yielding vines, planted circa 1900 on a sandy north slope of Woodstock Estate.

Winemaking process: The old vines on sandy soils are inspected thoroughly during veraison each January; exposed bunches are removed to prevent sunburn and hidden bunches are thinned to ensure even ripening. Ideally, each remaining bunch will have about two leaves between them and the sun. Yields are deliberately kept low (average yield is about two bottles per vine) and the vineyard is essentially dry grown resulting in intense concentration of flavour. The Shiraz fruit is harvested at night to preserve the delicate berry flavours. The grapes are then crushed and cold soaked for 24-48 hours before fermentation in small open fermenters and hand plunged twice daily for at least 5 days. The wine is pressed and then finishes ferment in carefully selected old and new, French and American oak barrels in a temperature controlled cellar. Each barrel is monitored, and only the finest selected to continue the lineage of Woodstock ‘The Stocks’ Shiraz.

Aging: The wine is aged in carefully selected French and American oak barrels in a temperature controlled cellar for up to 18 months. Each barrel is monitored, and only the finest selected to continue the lineage of Woodstock ‘The Stocks’ Shiraz.

Tasting notes: Deep, dark red colour with a purple tint. Plush, red and black fruits with a touch of dried spice and toasty oak on the nose. The palate is full-bodied yet soft, with ripe tannins and mid-palate fruit harmoniously balanced, which lead to a structured and complex finish. A wine that perfectly reflects its terroir, variety and region with elegance of fruit and well-integrated oak.

VEGAN

Region: Australia, McLaren Vale

Grape variety: Shiraz

 Background: Started by the late Doug Collet in 1973, Woodstock in McLaren Vale has always had an eye on the future. As well as red, white and rose wines, Woodstock has a ken focus on fortified wines too. When his son and current owner, Scott took over in 1982, the tradition has continued with fine wine making from the old vines on the property. Ben Glaetzer is now the chief winemaker with Scott managing vines – a winning team as shown by the Heartland range.

Flying Spitfires during WWII, Douglas Collett A.M was privileged to a pilot’s eye-view of the vineyards of Europe. Returning home, Doug saw the future for an Australian table wine industry, moving on from fortified styles. Equipped with animation initiative and perseverance, Doug planted many vineyards and made wines in many regions. He loved the natural beauty and robust flavours of McLaren Vale, acquiring Woodstock Estate in 1973. Doug’s own flight helmet represents the vision and passion of this inspirational man whose philosophy was “the glass is always half full” so lets fill it up!”

Tasting notes: This wine exhibits distinctive and perfumed dark and red fruit aromas, indicative of an excellent quality vintage. The palate is luscious with ripe fruit and layers of soft tannin. Balanced acidity and subtle oak provide texture and a long smooth finish.

VEGAN

Region: Australia

Grape variety: 100% Shiraz

Tasting notes: Often referred to as the classic Australian red wine, Shiraz is an easy to drink, all-time favourite. Concentrated red cherry and plum is complemented by notes of vanilla, mocha and spice. The flavour is rich and smooth, with juicy red berries and hints of vanilla and spice.

VEGAN

Region: Australia

Grape variety: 100% Shiraz

Tasting notes: Often referred to as the classic Australian red wine, Shiraz is an easy to drink, all-time favourite. Concentrated red cherry and plum is complemented by notes of vanilla, mocha and spice. The flavour is rich and smooth, with juicy red berries and hints of vanilla and spice.

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley 

Grape variety: Shiraz

Tasting notes: This rich Shiraz displays notes of blackberry, mocha and soft notes of black pepper.  

Awards: Casella 1919 Range Awarded 91 Points by Wine Spectator: Influential US magazine Wine Spectator has granted the Casella 1919 Cabernet Sauvignon and the Casella 1919 Shiraz both 91 points in a recent tasting of the Australian wines. The rating is only given to outstanding wines of exceptional complexity and character. As an award winning winemaker with over 1000 medals, John Casella wanted to create a wine that he could credibly give as a gift. The result is Casella 1919; two classic red wines from the acclaimed 2006 vintage that represent the pinnacle of the Casella Family Brands portfolio.

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: Langmeil’s history dates back to 1842 and the winery now draws on Barossa’s cultural beginnings and combines it with world-class winemaking. Its flagship, Freedom Shiraz, comes from what is believed to be the oldest Shiraz vines in the world, dating back to 1843. Old Barossan vines are a trademark of the winery, as are Chief Winemaker, Paul Lindner’s minimal intervention techniques.

Tasting notes: It is rich and full, velvety and seamless, with impeccably bright fruit, plum, mulberry and raspberry that layers the rich palate. There is also some gentle spice, and the oak effortlessly rounds out the wine. This will develop beautifully over the next few years.

Awards

Global Syrah Masters - Drinks Business 2021 - Silver Medal

Region: France, Rhone

Grape variety: Syrah

Region: France, Rhone

Grape variety: Syrah

Tasting notes: This wine is very richly balanced. Its length gives expression the ripe apricots, honey and spice notes.

Region: France, Rhone

Grape variety: Syrah

Tasting notes: From the eastern part of the hill where the soil is deeper. It has wonderful depth of soft fruit, plummy and rich, blackberries and spice with real density and excellent ripe tannins to give structure.

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley

Grape variety: Shiraz

Tasting notes: Fresh plum and dark chocolate-dipped cherries seamlessly combined with flavours of brooding dark fruits, warm spices and sweet mocha, with mature tannins for a soft finish.

Awards

Syrah Du Monde 2023 - Gold Medal 

China Wine & Spirit Awards 2023 - Gold Medal

Sydney Wine Shop 2021 - Gold Medal

China Wine & Spirit Awards 2020 - Gold Medal

Jamessuckling.com 2020 - 90 Points

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley

Grape variety: Shiraz

Tasting notes: Aromas of dark, plummy fruit, a touch of chocolate and hints of mint. The palate is superbly taut with intense depth of fruit reined in by firm tannins.

Awards

China Wine and Spirits Awards 2023 - Gold Medal

Mundus Vini 2022 - Gold Medal

Perth Royal Wine Awards - Gold Medal

Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2021 - Gold Medal

James Halliday Award 2021 - Gold Medal

Region: South Africa, Paarl

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: Old vineyard blocks of bush and trellised vines are situated in the northern area of Paarl where the soil and climatic conditions are ideal for premium Shiraz, Boland Cellar’s signature red grape variety. Deep red, well-drained Hutton soils situated further away from the coastal areas produce dark wines which are full-bodied and richly structured. The intense dark Shiraz grapes, produced in these conditions, are ideally suited to make complex wines with lengthy barrel maturation. The grapes are hand-picked in the middle of the harvest season, usually before the end of February.

Tasting notes: This finely crafted wine expresses exceptional Shiraz attributes with richly structured ripe black cherry and blackcurrants as well as ripe plums. A bold wine with complexity and intensity, this Shiraz Reserve offers black pepper spice with savoury notes, combined with balanced and integrated oak nuances.

Region: Italy, Sambuca di Sicily (AG)

Tasting notes: It is an intense ruby colour with violet notes and lightly tannic, full and persistent aroma. Well balanced and easily drinkable.

Grape variety: Syrah

Background: This wine, of French origins, became famous and popular around the world because of Australian producers. It was introduced in Sicily in early ‘90s. It has a very low quantity for hectare and the maceration of its grapes has to be at controlled temperature for about 10-12 days.

Tasting notes: This Sicilian ruby red wine has crimson highlights. The nose is taken by a fruity bouquet. Juicy ripe berry fruits such as blackberry - and sun-ripened cherries are revealed. On the palate, this wine has a wonderfully full body that is enveloped by lively, well-integrated tannins. The pleasant finish awaits with a wonderful freshness.

Food pairing: This wine goes very well with grilled & roasted red meats, and aged cheeses.

Award: Luca Maroni 2023 - 92 points

Tasting notes: This is Ben Glaetzer’s flagship wine and highlights the balance between the fruit and tannins. Darkly concentrated and rich, yet poised and elegant. Notes of black cherry, black liquorice and blackcurrant lead to an impressive long finish.

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley

Grape variety: Shiraz

Tasting notes: A mature, mossy Shiraz, this seamlessly blends cedar and vanilla shadings with dark berry notes. It is medium to full in body, with solidly savoury and earthy underpinnings. 

Awards

China Wine and Spirits Awards 2023 - Gold Medal

Syrah Du Monde 2023 - Gold Medal

DWWA Platinum 2023 - Gold Medal

Barossan Wine Show 2022 - Top Gold Medal

Perth Royal Wine Awards 2022 - Gold Medal

Royal Hobart Wine Show 2022 - Gold Medal

China Wine and Spirits Awards 2021 - Gold Medal

Jamessuckling.com 2020 - 93 Points

James Halliday Wine Compantion 2020 - 93 Points

Background: Along the Petite Pierrelle street, not far from the stream of Torras and the road where the blackbirds sing, lies the pretty Maison Bleue. Leaning against the Hermitage Hill, one of the most beautiful vineyards in the world, this small stone house with blue shutters was once a real haven of peace for their winegrowers: a place to work, rest and share located in the heart of a legendary terroir. Today, this house of winegrowers has regained a new youth. Winegrowers and horses take shelter from time to time. The Maison Bleue still serves as a shelter for their grapes to dry the straw wine when they produce it. This year, they will use its space to dry their plants for biodynamic preparations. A new life in the respect of traditions.

Critical Acclaim

James Suckling – 95 Points: This is a juicy and flavourful young wine with dusty and polished tannins. Lots of wild fruit and dark-berry and volcanic and salt undertones. Flavourful finish.

Jeb Dunnuck – 93 Points: The 2016 Hermitage La Maison Bleue (2,000 cases) comes from vines on the eastern side of the appellation and more sedimentary and limestone soils. This deep ruby/purple-coloured beauty gives up loads of black raspberry, toasted spiced, incense, and crushed rock aromatics. This flows to a ripe, sexy, and medium to full-bodied Hermitage that has moderate tannins, a layered, beautifully pure, elegant, even charming texture, and a great finish. It's already approachable yet will have 10-15 years of prime drinking.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate – 93 Points: The charming, already drinkable 2016 Hermitage La Maison Bleue comes from the eastern portion of the appellation. Raspberries and cherries lead the way in this full-bodied, velvety, lush offering, picking up subtle hints of baking spices on the long, silky finish.

Region: Australia, Langhorne Creek

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: A joint venture of industry veterans: winemakers Ben Glaetzer and Scott Collett, and wine industry management specialist Grant Tilbrook. Heartland uses grapes grown in the Limestone Coast and Langhorne Creek predominantly from vineyards owned by the partners. It currently exports 60% of its make to 38 international markets. The wines are principally contract-made at Barossa Vintners and represent excellent value for money. Ben Glaetzer makes wines for his family brand plus Mitolo in McLaren Vale and the Heartland wines from Langhorne Creek. Stickleback is Heartlandʼs entry-level red.

Tasting notes: Made by one of Australia’s top winemakers – Ben Glaetzer - spiced plums, blueberries and black pepper. It has lush toasty, vanilla aromas coursing through the silky cassis fruit. Fantastic value for money.

From Barossa's superstar winemaker Ben Glaetzer. If this is his entry level - you can imagine what Amon-Ra tastes like.

Bright red in colour with fresh aromas of blackcurrant, dark fruits and herbal spice. Mouth filling flavours of plum and chocolate intermingle with subtle oak and smooth tannins. Showing aromas of spicy dark cherry, blackcurrant and blackberry with a whiff of licoricey, it is generously flavoured with fresh, dark berry fruits and dense, inky characters. Fine-grained tannins keep things in balance, leaving an aftertaste of spice, cloves and dark chocolate.

VEGAN

Region: France, Rhone

Grape variety: Syrah

Tasting notes: There are notes of dark berries, chocolate, and a hint of fresh black olive on the finish. Long and approachable.

Region: France, Rhone

Grape variety: Syrah

Tasting notes: Bright and fragrant, violets and cherry blossom lift. Very pretty nose. Hints of leather, black berry, bruleed spice, marzipan but also a real core of dark fruit. Still tight and structured with a real presence of power and focus. Touch angular still, very bright acidity and a medium long tart red fruited finish.

Region: Australia, McLaren Vale

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: Started by the late Doug Collet in 1973, Woodstock in McLaren Vale has always had an eye on the future. As well as red, white and rose wines, Woodstock has a ken focus on fortified wines too. When his son and current owner, Scott took over in 1982, the tradition has continued with fine wine making from the old vines on the property. Ben Glaetzer is now the chief winemaker with Scott managing vines – a winning team as shown by the Heartland range.

Tasting notes: Plum and rhubarb aromas with cassis, some savoury spice and mouth-watering hints of fennel and caraway entice a taste. These characters follow through onto the palate, with the underlying warmth of oak.

VEGAN

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: The Eye of Ra is an ultra-premium Shiraz that reflects Ben Glaetzer’s aspiration to make the perfect wine. A wine with astounding power and complexity countered by exemplary elegance. In Egyptian mythology, The Eye of Ra was the powerful feminine counterpart to the sun god Ra. The Eye’s forceful protective deeds were celebrated alongside its nurturing life giving gifts to Egypt. The symbol depicts the sun surrounded by protective cobras and wings.

Tasting notes: The Eye of Rã Shiraz offers a bouquet of radiant intensity with masses of wild herbs, spiced plum and a cornucopia of blackberry and cedar scents. Showing astounding depth and volume at all levels, the dark and brooding nature of the wine is only enhanced with time in the glass. The palate is rich and generous yet elegantly structured. Taut, compelling and effortlessly classy displaying sublime fruit purity with an inky line and a wonderfully balanced framework of finely polished tannin. Vibrant multilayered and complex flavours of dark plum, liquorice and dried spice finishing with juicy acidity and an amazingly long, bright and fresh finish.

Critical Acclaim

Matthew Jukes 2017 - 20+/20 - The Eye of Ra Shiraz 2016: "This wine is a 100% Shiraz, using 100% French oak and all of the fruit comes from Ebenezer. This wine is made from the finest parcel of fruit that Ben has ever seen in his vineyard. Outstanding aromatics lead the way and the palate is nothing short of spellbinding. The finish has epic freshness and the tannins are like nothing I have encountered before from the great Glaetzer portfolio. The Eye of Ra is all about power countered with impeccable restraint and I can still recall all of its flavours several weeks later. It is one of a number of wines that I have seen lately which signal a new and fascinating epoch for Barossa Shiraz. I followed this wine over three hours that evening and it never stopped evolving in the glass. This celestial wine made a huge impression on me and it is hard for me to see how this wine can be bettered and so I am overjoyed to give it a perfect score."

Robert Parker Wine Advocate 2018 - 98 Points - The Eye of Ra Shiraz 2016: "boasts classy notes of pencil shavings and dark, plummy fruit. From 85-year-old vines, it’s full-bodied, rich and creamy, loaded with vanilla-tinged French oak but balanced by blueberries and blackberries and ending with lasting hints of mocha and liquorice. It returns Glaetzer’s traditional Barossa winemaking to a new level of quality and elegance without sacrificing power or guts."

Region: Australia, McLaren Vale

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: Named after a set of medieval wooden leg stocks, which stand in the town of Woodstock in Oxfordshire, England, ‘The Stocks’ Shiraz is Woodstock’s flagship wine. This single vineyard Shiraz is made from 31 rows of low-yielding vines, planted circa 1900 on a sandy north slope of Woodstock Estate.

Tasting notes: Deep, dark red colour with a purple tint. Plush, red and black fruits with a touch of dried spice and toasty oak on the nose. The palate is full-bodied yet soft, with ripe tannins and mid-palate fruit harmoniously balanced, which lead to a structured and complex finish.

Award: Halliday Wine Companion 2017 - 97 points: “This single (estate) vineyard was planted in 1900, and for good measure, this full-bodied wine represents the best barrels of the vintage. Dense, deep crimson-purple; there is substantial oak showing now, but it’s good quality, and I don’t have the slightest doubt that when the wine approaches maturity in ‘24, all the juicy black fruits, liquorice and chocolate will simply acknowledge that oak is part of a complex wine of the utmost quality.”

VEGAN

Region: Australia, Barossa Valley

Grape variety: Shiraz

Tasting notes: Deep purple in youth, will evolve to a lovely dark red hue with maturation. Blood plum showing hints of dark cherries and dried garden herbs. Rich and mouth coating yet with the balance, finesse and elegance that epitomises Amon-Ra. An earthy spice complements the brooding dark fruit flavours.

Awards

Robert Parker 2023 Wine Advocate Review Erin Larkin – 97 Points: Glaetzer Amon-Ra 2021: “The Amon-Ra is a wine that’s well known for its graceful aging capacity, and so, in a vintage like 2021 (long, cooler than the horrendously low yielding and drought-addled 2020 and 2019 prior), the release is eagerly anticipated. The 2021 Amon-Ra Shiraz is complete, in a word. The purple and red berries in the mouth are fresh and supple, the flow of flavour across the tongue feels unbroken and svelte, and the aftertaste is padded by chewy, pliable tannins. This is a real pleasure, and not just now – it will be later, too.  Drink Date 2023 – 2041”

Robert Parker 2022 Wine Advocate Review Erin Larkin – 97 Points: Glaetzer Amon-Ra 2020: “ I’ve looked at this wine many times over the years, almost exclusively as an older/cellared wine. The impact it has made is strong, and so it is through this lens that I now view this 2020 Amon-Ra Shiraz. This year’s Amon-Ra is concentrated, dense and absolutely, utterly saturated with flavour. The fruit that spirals within the bounds of the firm tannins is fleshy and pure, and with the knowledge that the wine sails through the decade with noiseless grace, it is all the more impressive in its infancy now. A brilliant wine – all ductile and proud. Yes.  Drink Date 2022 – 2042”

VEGAN

Region: Barossa Valley, Australia

Grape Variety: Shiraz/Syrah

Tasting Notes: Deep purple in youth, will evovle to a lovely dark red hue with maturation. Aromas of blood plum showing hints of dark cherries and dried garden herbs. Rich on the palate and mouthcoating yet with the balance, finesse and elegance that epitomises Amon-Ra. An earthy spice complements the brooding dark fruit flavours.

Food Pairing: This wine pairs well with hearty beef stews, barbequed ribs or rich venison dishes.

Region: Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France

Grape Variety: Shiraz/Syrah

Tasting Notes: Big, rich, dark-fruited and almost tarry, but this full-bodied wine is pleasantly velvety and marked by savoury notes of scorched wood and black olive tapenade that linger on the finish.

Food Pairing: This wine pairs well with grilled meats, barbeque, grilled vegetables and spicey dishes.

Region: Rhone, Crozes-Hermitage, France

Grape Variety: Syrah/Shiraz

Tasting Notes: This wine has cassis and blueberry perfume mixes with black pepper and violets on the nose. The palate is vibrant and fresh, with sweet, wild berry fruit balanced by fine, velvety tannins.

Food Pairing: Wine experts believe this wine would pair well with grilled foods such as meat, vegetables and barbeque as well as spicey dishes.

Region: Rhone Valley, France

Grape Variety: Shiraz/Syrah

Tasting Notes: La Chapelle is full-bodied like Pauillac with deep inky colour. It is extremeley aromatic with raspberry, dark berry and smoke aromas, with herbal chracteristics such as rosemary, developing a wonderful bouquet of spices, cedar wood and berries. The body is velvety supported by immense ripe and round tannin. The finish is always fresh and beautifully balanced.

Food Pairing: Jaboulet Hermitage is best served with all types of classic meat dishes such as veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken or any roasted, braised and grilled dishes.

Region: Rhone Valley, France

Grape Variety: Shiraz/Syrah

Tasting Notes: The palate is dense with layers of blackerries, damsons, black cherries, liqourice, tar and all spice - a nod to the 15% new oak used in maturation, which brings complexity while leaving the emphasis on the purity of the fruit. Tannins are mouthcoating but gloriously fine and silky, while aromas of incense, violets, graphite and a dash of acidity bring a fragrant and refreshing lift. For all its richness and ripe fruit flavours, this is crisper and more poised than recent vintages. Elegant and beautifully balanced with a lingering finish.

Food Pairing: This wine would pair well with a rich cut of pork, slow-cooked shoulder or braised belly-pork.