2010 Amon-Ra Shiraz

(sourced from vines that are reportedly 50 to 130 years old; 100% new oak, 95% of it French): Dark purple. Flamboyant aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry, incense, vanilla and Indian spices. Concentrated, penetrating and densely packed, with strikingly concentrated dark fruit flavors that show liqueur-like intensity. Finishes very long, with firm but harmonious tannins and superb persistence.

Wow, a spectacular Shiraz and possibly the wine of the vintage, the 2010 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley is 100% dry-grown Shiraz that was aged for 16 months in 100% new oak (95% French and 5% American). It sports knockout aromatics of creamy blackberry, plum, smoked bacon, coffee, and spice that just soar from the glass. Classic aromatically, with textbook Barossa qualities, the quality shines just as much on the palate, where the wine is full-bodied, perfectly textured and rich, with a savory mid-palate, ripe, chewy tannin, and a clean finish. This impresses all around and is hard to fault. While spectacular now, it deserves 3-4 years in the cellar, and will shine for two decades.

Deep purple-black in color, the 2010 Amon-Ra is very closed on the nose showing pure black fruits, chocolate and licorice with just a touch of loam. Full-bodied and densely packed, the voluptuous palate is framed by firm, fine tannins and a crisp acid line. It has a long, well-balanced finish. Drink it from 2014-2026+. (Feb 2013) www.erobertparker.com Drink 2014-2026