Ben Glaetzer Eye of Ra Shiraz
The Eye of Ra was the powerful feminine counterpart to the sun god Ra in Egyptian mythology and was personified by a number of Egyptian goddesses. They also represented the polarity of extreme force of the sun’s heat countered by the sun’s nurturing gaze. Wine maker Ben Glaezter similarly produced the Eye of Ra Shiraz featuring excellent power and depth balanced by restraint and elegance leading to an amazing evolution in the bottle and glass. The Eye of Rã 2018 Shiraz reflects Ben Glaetzer’s aspiration to create the perfect wine that is the epitome of Barossa Shiraz. 100% Shiraz, extraordinary fruit was sourced from selected vines from four outstanding vineyards from the renowned Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. The fruit was hand harvested from low yielding vines aged up to 110 years old predominantly in deep sandy soils of a red brown texture known as contrast soils. The result was exceptional quality featuring intense depth of colour, astounding aromatic purity and brightness on the palate. The parcels were fermented separately in small open fermenters and gently hand plunged 3 times daily. During fermentation the temperature was kept very cool below 18 degrees Celsius to enhance the fresh aromatic profile without over extraction. The wine was then matured for 16 months in 100% new French oak hogsheads with natural malolactic fermentation continuing in oak during maturation. The fine grained French hogsheads were of the highest quality with tannin profiles selected to best express the flavours of the individual parcels. Inky, opaque purple with red accents in colour. The aromas are expressive and forceful, development will reveal delicious herbs that accent a core of dark berry fruit. On the palate there are polished tannins balancing the dominant fruit. Black berries are layered over red, with mocha, liquorice and fresh-cut cedar. Cellaring in the bottle will lead to increased complexity and even greater enjoyment.
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz
The flagship of the Torbreck stable. Recently been elevated to 'Exceptional' status in Langton's Fine Wine Classification, it is a wine of utmost power and density. Famous for rich concentration and opulent power, this exceptional Australian Shiraz is as popular abroad as it is at home. Definitely one to place in the cellar and simply forget about - let the patience reward you over 10 or more years time.
E guigal Ermitage Ex Voto
Chris Ringland Dry Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz
Chris Ringland's Barossa Ranges Shiraz is steeped in the Barossas post-colonial story and the high art and science of winemaking. Typically deep in colour with intense dark berry, paneforte, espresso roasted chestnut aromas, it displays a plush and concentrated palate with blackberry, mocha, paneforte spicy flavours and dense fine chocolaty tannins. Despite the opulence, flamboyance, richness and concentration, the wine has superb percussion and freshness. The wine is a small vinification of around four to five hogsheads or 1500 litres. The "unusually thick skinned" Shiraz is entirely sourced from Chris Ringland's dry-grown vineyard on the edge of the Barossa Valley, but technically in Eden Valley, along Flaxman's Valley near Randall's Hill. The wine is "painstakingly hand-made" in open fermenters and regularly pumped-over to extract colour, flavour and tannins. After draining and pressing through a traditional basket press, fermentation is completed in 100% new French oak hogsheads. A period of up to 50 months oak maturation follows to achieve optimum complexity and balance between oak and fruit. The extraordinarily high release prices (higher than Penfolds Grange), limited production and reputation make Chris Ringland Barossa Ranges Shiraz the stuff of legend.
Chateau Pavie
Another terrific success for the flagship estate (a 92-acre vineyard situated on the famed limestone and clay-rich slopes of Cote Pavie) of Chantal and Gerard Perse, the 2011 Pavie is composed of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 2011 may be the biggest, richest, most massive wine of the vintage. With thrilling levels of concentration, tremendous purity, high but sweet tannin, a skyscraper-like mouthfeel, and terrific intensity, depth and palate presence, this larger-than-life effort will require 5-8 years of cellaring, and should age effortlessly over the following 25-30 years.
Château Angélus
Torbreck The Laird
Every now and then, in life and in wine, we are presented with unique opportunities to express ourselves and create something truly remarkable. When these rare opportunities arise, we need to capture, nurture and develop them so that their potential is fulfilled. So when Torbreck were given the opportunity to work with one of the most famous vineyards in the Barossa Valley, they were determined to use all their experience to ensure the resulting Shiraz was truly remarkable.
Château Trotanoy Pomerol
Château Trotanoy is one of the oldest and prestigous of any Châteaux on the Bordeaux's right-bank. Trotanoy consists of a tiny 7.5 hectare plot in Pomerol where Merlot is the dominant variety planted. In 2008, Pomerol was the best perfoming of all of the Bordeaux regions and was rated a brilliant 96 by Robert Parker Jr. Wonderfully complex and rich in fruit, this Trotanoy also has a brilliant structure and elegance that will medium-term cellar quite nicely.
Bass Phillip Reserve Pinot Noir
Australian Pinot Noir does not get any better than the wines produced by Phillip Jones at the iconic Bass Phillip winery. A Pinot Noir of utmoust power and elegance, the rival to any great Burgundy. Rated in the top classification in Langton's Classification of Australian Wine, Bass Phillip Pinot Noir is riddled with complex flavours of strawberry, violets, rose petal and forest floor. The length of palate is immortal.
Torbreck The Laird Shiraz
Torbrecks flagship wine, The Laird Shiraz is only produced in exceptional years. The fruit comes from one of the finest Shiraz sites in the Barossa valley; the dry grown Gnadenfrei vineyard dating from 1958. Matured for 36 months in special French barriques coopered by Dominique Laurent, the Laird is the ultimate expression of ultra-concentrated single vineyard Barossa Shiraz.