2019 - Amon Ra, Ben Glaetzer, Barossa Valley

The 2019 Amon Ra Shiraz is 100% Shiraz and 100% from the 2019 vintage, as Ben Glaetzer felt it—unlike many previous vintages—didn't need to be freshened with a small proportion of younger wine. From old vines in the Ebenezer district of the northern Barossa Valley, it offers classic notes of blackberries and spice, framed by hints of cedar and vanilla (it's aged in 100% new oak hogsheads, mostly French). It's full-bodied yet crisp, supple but tight and really long. Offering lovely dark fruit, hints of espresso and black olive, it finishes mouthwatering and firm. Give it some time in the cellar and drink it from 2025 – 2040.

The 2019 Amon-Ra is classically styled thanks to its generous ripeness and fruit density. It is richly endowed with blackberry, chocolate and plum jam aromas and some spicy/earthy aged tones just beginning to emerge. A solid dark berry flavor impact follows, with tannins just starting to soften, putting this Shiraz in its peak drinking window. The superb length to finish is the icing on the cake.