2006 Amon-Ra Shiraz

100% dry-grown Shiraz, vines 30-120 years old. Very low yields. Fermented in one- and two-tonne open fermenters, hand plunged three times daily. Completed primary and MLF in oak and then matured for 15 months in oak, matured on lees to maintain fruit profile and animation, minimal SO2. Topped up every three weeks. Oak: 15 months in 100% new oak of which 20% is American and 80% French (70% hogsheads and 30% barriques). Unfiltered. Very deeply coloured. Sweet lightly minty cassis and pretty ripe and a little earthy. Firm but very smooth tannins. Cedary. After the Plantagenet, both the acidity and the alcohol seem to stick out a little, hence the minus, though it is definitely blockbuster, concentrated Shiraz. pH 3.47, TA 7.1 g/l, RS 1.2 g/l, (JH)

A borderline perfect wine in my opinion, the 2006 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley is a phenomenally concentrated, massive wine that holds everything together with fantastic balance and a light, seamless and almost elegant texture. The nose is packed with amazing levels of dark fruit; cassis, blackberry and earth aromas are backed up by licorice, vanilla and tar notes and for all its size, there's not a hint of heat. The palate is full bodied and has glass staining concentration but the palate has a light, airy feel that keeps this restrained, balanced and a killer drink right now. With air, the fruit definitely shows more sweetness but is pure, clean and rich. This finishes with amazing amounts of juicy fruit and length. I think this is as good as the 2005 but is more in the style of the 2003 and 2004.

(100% shiraz from vines between 80 and 120 years of age) Inky ruby. Exotically perfumed nose displays ripe blueberry, boysenberry, cinnamon, wilted flowers and patchouli; smells like a head shop. Chewy dark berry flavors soften with air, ultimately offering superb clarity and a velvety texture. Becomes sweeter on the finish, with slowly building tannins adding an impression of structure to this sexy fruit bomb. This is the style that made the Barossa famous.