Ben Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz 2018
An extraordinary 98-point Barossa Valley Shiraz from one of Australia's most celebrated winemakers. Rich, powerful and beautifully structured, the 2018 Amon-Ra delivers exceptional concentration without sacrificing elegance or freshness.
Amon-Ra represents the pinnacle of Ben Glaetzer's winemaking, produced from exceptionally old Shiraz vines in the renowned Ebenezer district of the northern Barossa Valley.
The 2018 vintage is particularly impressive, combining intense blackberry and dark plum fruit with espresso, dried spice, liquorice and beautifully integrated oak. Its remarkable depth is supported by firm, finely textured tannins and a long, savoury finish.
Sourced from vines aged between 50 and 130 years, with exceptionally low yields, the fruit was carefully fermented in small open fermenters before spending 16 months in new French and American oak barrels.
Awarded 98 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, the 2018 is widely regarded as an outstanding release, offering both immediate drinking pleasure and serious long-term cellaring potential.
Australia
Barossa Valley
Shiraz
750ml
15%
2018Ben Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz 2018 is a magnificent expression of old-vine Barossa Valley Shiraz, bringing together extraordinary fruit concentration, meticulous winemaking and impressive balance.
Produced in the Ebenezer subregion, an area renowned for some of Australia's oldest surviving Shiraz vineyards, Amon-Ra draws its character from mature, naturally low-yielding vines. These established vineyards produce small quantities of intensely flavoured fruit, giving the wine its remarkable depth and distinctive personality.
The 2018 growing season began with generous winter rainfall, followed by a considerably drier spring and summer. Warm conditions and healthy vine canopies encouraged even ripening, while favourable conditions towards the end of harvest helped preserve aromatic purity and freshness.
Winemaker Ben Glaetzer fermented the Shiraz in small open fermenters, with regular hand plunging to encourage gentle extraction. The wine then matured for 16 months in 100% new oak hogsheads, predominantly French oak, with a small proportion of American oak. It was bottled without filtration to preserve its natural character.
The resulting wine is deeply coloured, richly textured and exceptionally expressive. Layers of black fruit, mocha, dark chocolate and exotic spice unfold across a generous palate, while fresh acidity and firm tannins provide definition and balance.
Although undeniably powerful, the 2018 Amon-Ra avoids excessive heaviness. Its combination of richness, refinement and structure makes it a compelling choice for lovers of premium Australian Shiraz.
A full-bodied, dry Australian red wine with remarkable concentration, firm yet polished tannins and impressive length.
The style is unmistakably Barossa: generous dark fruit, warming spice and luxurious texture, complemented by carefully integrated oak and a savoury underlying complexity.
Despite its intensity, the wine retains brightness and freshness, allowing its powerful fruit character to remain balanced and expressive.
- Appearance: Deep, almost opaque purple-black with an intense, inky core.
- Nose: Concentrated blackberry, blueberry and dark plum, followed by espresso, dried spice, liquorice and subtle chocolate.
- Palate: Rich and multilayered, with dark berry fruit, black cherry, nutmeg, cloves and savoury oak. Texture: Full-bodied and generously concentrated, supported by firm, beautifully structured tannins.
- Finish: Exceptionally long and persistent, with lingering dark fruit, spice and savoury complexity.
- Ribeye Steak: The wine's concentrated fruit and structured tannins complement richly marbled beef.
- Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder: An excellent pairing with tender lamb, rosemary and deeply developed roasting flavours.
- Mature Hard Cheeses: Aged cheddar and other strongly flavoured hard cheeses complement its depth and tannic structure.
- Barbecued Meats: Excellent alongside smoky beef brisket, chargrilled steak and robust marinades.
- Venison: The wine's dark fruit and savoury spice provide a natural complement to game.
- Beef Short Ribs: Particularly well suited to slow-braised beef and rich reductions.
- Serving Temperature: 16–18°C.
- Decanting: Allow approximately 1–2 hours in a decanter to help the wine reveal its complexity.
- Glassware: Serve in a generous Bordeaux-style or full-bodied red wine glass.
- Storage: Keep bottles horizontally in a cool, dark environment with stable temperatures.
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate suggested ageing potential through approximately 2035, potentially longer.
- Drinking Window: Enjoy now with appropriate aeration, or continue cellaring.
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