Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz 2004

Bishop Shiraz shares many qualities with its big brother Glaetzer Shiraz. This full-bodied wine is made predominantly from 30 to 60-year-old vines at Ebenezer and always contains material from the oldest 80-year-old vines. It is made from fruit components which are more up-front and generous - it shows more animated, youthful fruit characters as opposed to the more restrained structured Glaetzer Shiraz components.The Glaetzer Bishop is deep red with purple hues. A lifted nose of ripe plums, cinnamon and spice leads to flavours of liquorice and nutmeg supported by firm, rounded tannin. read more...The wine shows a hint of French oak which adds extra dimension to the wine's complexity.The wine will age well for 6 to 8 years.    (hide)

August 2007

"...this larger-than-life, fascinating wine (cropped at .25 to 1 ton of fruit per acre) offers big, sweet, blackberry and cassis characteristics intermixed with notions of smoke, licorice, and pain grille. A wine of amazing extract, richness, and full-bodied power, with great purity as well as balance, this stunning offering should age effortlessly for 15 or more years. Filled with personality, it is a tour de force in Barossa Shiraz...94-96." WA 10/05

The finest of this trio is the flagship cuvee, the 2004 Shiraz produced from 80- to 150-year-old dry farmed vineyards in the northern Ebenezer sector of the Barossa. Aged 16 months in French oak and American hogsheads, this larger-than-life, fascinat... Robert Parker. A Syrah wine from South Australia in Australia. 2004 Glaetzer Shiraz 750ml

January 2009

Rating: 93/100 - As reviewed by International Wine Cellar in Issue 127, July/August 2006 ($65; from vines reportedly between 85 and 115 years of age) Inky ruby. Spicy blackberry, cherry and dark chocolate on the nose, with complicating notes of espresso and dried violet. Cool and restrained, with a suave, silky tone to the dark fruit flavors and gentle acids bringing freshness and energy. Nothing overdone here. There's impressive clarity and length to the blackberry and blackcurrant flavors. Really gorgeous. (Epicurean Wines, Seattle, WA)

Rating: 4/5 - As reviewed by Decanter Expressive blueberry, strawberry, floral, eucalyptus and pepper nose. Warm and round, but with depth and freshness. Fine tannins. Long, generous. Drink 2011.

Rating: 17/20 - As reviewed by Jancis Robinson The earlier-maturing vats of unirrigated fruit from 40 to 80 year-old vines, largely from Ebenezer in the north west of the Barossa Valley. Hint of damson-like acidity on the nose and then wonderfully broad notes of pepper and chocolate on the palate. Very clean and fresh. Just a slight hole in the middle. Pretty good buy - and much more lifted, concentrated and vital than the average Barossa Shiraz. The wine is called after Ben's mother's maiden name.