2022 Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz, Barossa Valley

I feel that Ben Glaetzer's Amon-Ra is one of the flag bearers for contemporary Barossan shiraz, certainly when it comes to the more powerful, weighty styles. It has a sense of compression. Wildly concentrated black fruits and palate heft, yet it displays freshness and form; supple, lithe and possessed of northern subregional power writ large. There's an imperious tannin structure but the fruit just sucks it all up and charges on. One for the sybaritic indulger of Barossan wine. It's a ripper.

96 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

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.

Deep purple upon release, but will evolve to a rich, dark garnet red over time in bottle. Dark cherry and blackberry notes are offset by hints of black pepper and a well stocked spice rack. Rich and enveloping and balanced on a razor’s edge between power and finesse. Multiple dark fruit notes saturate the palate, enhanced with graceful  spice and herb notes. It will age for many years to come.

A wine that will develop beautifully with long term cellaring through to 2045.