Ben Glaetzer Amon Ra

98 Points - Robert Parkers Wine Advocate

Ben Glaetzer sources all of his fruit from the Ebenzer district of the Barossa Valley, which doesn't mean it's in any way monochromatic. "We've got 14 soil types in eight different vineyards," he explained via Zoom this June. He's especially keen on the 2018 releases, from a vintage he compares to 2004 in terms of its quality. "Pure is the way I'd describe the 2018s. It's an absolute cracking year—you're going to see some great wines." Certainly, Glaetzer's 2018s don't disappoint, combining ripe fruit with enough structure to suggest a long, positive evolution for his top efforts.
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.