June 18, 2024
Glaetzer 2021 vintage release
Since 1888, the Glaetzer family has crafted iconic Barossa Valley wines, blending old vine Shiraz and Grenache into unique, elegant expressions. Ben Glaetzer continues this legacy, focusing on balance and classic Barossan character, earning him the title 'Baron of the Barossa.' His artisanal, small-volume creations like Amon-Ra Shiraz reflect unmatched quality and passion having achieved the awards of wine of the vintage numerous times from wine critics like the Wine Advocate.
The Barossa 2021 vintage:
Compared to the hotter more powerful vintages such as 2018 and 2019, the 2021 vintage was labelled as a "Goldilocks" vintage, not too hot, not too cold, but perfectly balanced. The wines of Barossa in 2021 were therefore characterized by a cool, extended ripening period that enhanced fruit complexity and vibrancy, yielding wines of exceptional quality and age-ability.
Glaetzer Amon-Ra:
his Shiraz, from ancient Ebenezer vines aged 50 to 130 years, showcases Barossa's tradition with a modern touch. Featuring open fermentation and thrice-daily hand plunging, it exudes deep plum, minerality, and a hint of cedar. Melded with dark chocolate and spicy plum, its chalky tannins escort a concentrated palate to a seamlessly long finish. It's recently ranked as 'Excellent' in Langton's Classification solidifying it as one of Australia's top wines. In the 2021 vintage, Amon-Ra scored 97-Points from the Wine Advocate placing it amongst the best of the vintage.
Glaetzer Anaperenna:
The 2021 Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon emerges from a cool vintage and it unfolds on the palate with a glossy flow of red and purple fruits, needing time to reveal its full potential. This classic Barossa blend marries Shiraz's depth with Cabernet Sauvignon's finesse, adorned with the Ankh symbol, embodying regeneration. Incredibly balanced and rich followed by a seamless long finish. Yet again, this is one of the great value picks of Australia coming in at just €30 IB per bottle.
Glaetzer Amon-Ra 2021
97 Points | Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin
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 flavor 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. 15% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
96 Points | Halliday Wine Companion, Dave Brookes
Shiraz sourced from vines between 50 to 130 years of age in the renowned northern Barossa subregion of Ebenezer; 16 months in new French and American oak. A wine of impact and purity. Beautiful ripe black plum, cassis and black cherry fruits with hints of cedar, baking spices, dark chocolate, licorice, nutmeg, espresso, earth and graphite. Power and harmony writ large with cascading tannin, lacy acidity and great depth and concentration … I feel it needs one of those big, old Batman-style ‘KAPOW!!’ boxes for emphasis. It’s a cracker.
Glaetzer Anaperenna 2021
94 Points | Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin
The 2021 Anaperenna Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon is from the highly anticipated 2021 vintage, one typified by a cool, long, even ripening period and very little disease pressure. Yields were up on the monstrously low 2019/2020 seasons, a relief for producers. The oak stands proudly atop this wine, and the fruit is a little reductive upon opening; however, the cool flow of flavor across the tongue is sensational. This is glossy, complete and saturated in red and purple fruits. The 2021 is sitting so pert and frisky at this stage—I'm pretty sure, having just looked at the 2020 (and loved it), that this needs a little time to come together. Exceptional fruit. 15% alcohol.