Glaetzer Wallace, Shiraz-Grenache, 2018, Barossa Valley, Australia
Regular price
£20.00
Sale
Our View:
Wallace is an ancestral name of Colin's wife, Judith, whose family hail from the old market town of Cupar in Fife, Scotland. Judith's Celtic ancestry is reflected in the three elements of the Wallace symbol - the Celtic cross, thistle and the Celtic knot pattern.
With a strong focus on quality of fruit, this Shiraz / Grenache blend doesn't disappoint. This is a great opportunity to get a real taste of Barossa wines from old vines - a fresh wine ready to drink now and great value.
The Wine:
The first Glaetzers settled in the Barossa Valley in 1888 after emigrating from Brandenburg, Germany. The family were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley.
All fruit for Glaetzer Wines is taken from the small sub-region of the northern Barossa Valley, called Ebenezer. The very old vines require minimal attention. Their deep root structure means they are self-sufficient and can adapt to climatic extremes.
The Shiraz brings backbone, flesh and body to the wine with the Grenache adding a soft, vibrant juiciness.
Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub-district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 50—80 year old Shiraz and 50—100 year old Grenache.
The 2018 growing season started well with above average winter rainfall but was followed by well below average spring and summer rainfall coupled with warm temperatures. Fortunately the vines were in perfect balance with healthy canopies assisting even ripening and fruit flavour development. Calm Indian summer conditions began in early March which were perfect for finishing off vintage. The resultant 2018 wines are of exceptional quality featuring intense depth of colour, astounding aromatic purity plus richness and brightness on the palate.
Old vine Barossa Grenache has a liveliness and structure that does not benefit from oak maturation—oak contact was thus minimised for the Grenache component to preserve the purity and animation of the fruit. The Shiraz was matured for 16 months in 2—3 year old oak hogshead barrels (80% French / 20% American).
Tasting Note:
Dark, vibrant red with an aroma of bright red fruits, masses of cherry and a hint of strawberry freshness. The palate sees flavours of plum, cherry and cranberry. Soft, supple tannins from the Grenache provide freshness and the Shiraz gives both weight and length. This wine can be enjoyed in its youth but will also develop additional complexity over 6 to 8 years of cellaring.
The Facts:
|
Wine |
Wallace - Shiraz / Grenache blend |
|
Vintage |
2018 |
|
Style |
Red Wine |
|
Grape Variety |
72% Shiraz / 28% Grenache |
|
Alcohol Content |
14.5% |
|
Closure |
Screw cap |
|
Bottle Size |
750ml |
What the critics say:
91 Points - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate:
"Glaetzer’s least-expensive offering is a terrific bargain. The 2018 Wallace Shiraz-Grenache is a 72-28 blend, offering hints of cola and plum on the nose, backed by brighter raspberry and strawberry notes. It’s medium to full-bodied and framed by silky, fine-grained tannins, with a long mouthwatering finish that hints at mocha and wood spice. Drink this beauty over the next 6-7 years". Joe Czerwinski, 2020 Wine Advocate Review, 1st August 2020
93 Points - James Halliday:
"A 72/28% blend from Glaetzer’s stomping ground of Ebenezer, the vines 50 and 100yo. Grenache had minimal oak contact, the shiraz matured in used hogsheads for 16 months. It’s Glaetzer style, pure and simple: love it or leave it".
92 Points - James Suckling:
"This has attractive, ripe-raspberry aromas with a black-fruit core in a fresh, upbeat mode. The palate has a fleshy delivery of assertive blackberries, cassis and raspberries and delivers solid flavour and value".