2023 Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz Grenache, Barossa Valley

This is always such a consistent and perfectly crafted, value-for-money red wine out of the Barossa. It’s largely Shiraz with about 16% Grenache. Some of these vines are up to 80 years old in the case of the Shiraz and 100 years old in the case of the Grenache, so this is pretty serious fruit for a wine at this price. The aroma is characterized by bright red fruits with a little glazed cherry, and the palate reveals deeper, richer flavours while still keeping those bright red fruits dominant, consistent with this longer, cooler vintage. It has potential for medium-term aging but really does drink well now. Drink to 2036.

93 points Ray Jordan for Wine Pilot, July 2026

An enticing Barossa Valley blend of Shiraz and Grenache, with an 84/16% split. From the Ebenezer sub-region, the Shiraz vines range in age between 50 and 80 years, while the Grenache are between 50 and 100 years. The team minimise oak contact for the Grenache with the aim of preserving the purity it can exhibit, while the Shiraz spent sixteen months in a mix of French and American oak hogsheads, an 80/20 split, which were two to three years in age. Deep red with a dark crimson border, the nose reveals notes of cherries, wild raspberries, hints of licorice, red apples and dried herbs. It is slightly savoury/sappy in style, but well balanced and offering decent length through to fine, sleek tannins. The finish lingers appealingly and there is lots to like here. Enjoy it over the next eight to ten years.

92 points Ken Gargett for Wine Pilot, June 2026

The Glaetzer family has been a part Barossa’s viticultural history since 1888, and Ben Glaetzer produces some of the most recognised wines of the region from dry-grown vineyards in the Ebenezer area. Working with a small group of third and fourth generation growers, his rich, intense and expressive wines are for many the epitome of Barossa in the glass.

The 2023 season in Barossa was long, dry and warm without any heat wave events, resulting in wines of great colour and balanced, intense flavours. The Wallace from this year is a 84/16 blend of Ebenezer fruit from 50–80-year-old Shiraz and 50–100-year-old Grenache vines, with Shiraz maturing for 16 months in seasoned oak hogsheads of primarily French origin, supplemented by 20% American oak. Meanwhile, oak contact was kept minimal for the Grenache, aiming to capture the liveliness and structure to preserve the lively, animated character of the fruit.

Open now if you appreciate the fragrance and liveliness that Grenache contributes to the blend or enjoy over several years to come while the Shiraz develops bottle age complexity.