Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz 2018

The Wine Advocate
98/100 punten
Certainly one of the best vintages of young Amon Ra I’ve ever tasted, the 2018 Amon Ra Shiraz is a stupendous effort. From old vines in the Ebenezer section of the northern Barossa, it starts off with a whirlwind of mocha, blackberry and dried spices, then actually gets more red-fruited as it sits in the glass. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated without being jammy or overdone, the wine finishes long and savory, framed by dusty tannins and mouthwatering black olives. Winemaker Ben Glaetzer compares 2018 to 2004 (which continues to drink well). Expect the 2018 to drink well young, but easily age through 2035, perhaps longer.

Huon Hooke
96/100 punten
This is simply one of the very best big Barossa shirazes year in, year out. The colour is glass staining purple/red and the bouquet evokes rich dark chocolate and graphite earthiness, ripe and oak-infused, but not ‘oaky’. The palate is also very lush and ripely fruit-sweet. A sumptuous wine that will age long-term but also gives great pleasure now.

James Halliday
95/100 punten
From vines 50-130yo in Ebenezer yielding 2t/ha, open-fermented, hand-plunged three times daily, matured for 16 months in new hogsheads (5% American). Full-bodied to the point where it’s difficult to give any guidance for cellaring time. Similarly, what will be the quality of the wine as it steadily develops, the points somewhere in the middle of the range of possibilities.

James Suckling
94/100 punten
Very bold, rich blackberries with very deeply integrated oak spice and a tarry, savory edge, too. The palate is glossy and ripe tannins deliver seamless length and depth with a smooth, soft core of blackberries, blood plums and black cherries. Dense, yet already drinkable. But best from 2024.