AMON-Ra by Ben Glaetzer

The profound 2005 Shiraz Amon Ra is fashioned from a dry grown, 100- to 110 year-old vineyard, and spends 14 months in a combination of 100% new French and American barrels as well as 300-liter hogsheads. A saturated purple color is followed by scents of creme de cassis, incense, licorice, black raspberries, graphite, and sweet wood. It unfolds beautifully on the palate to reveal terrific richness, full-bodied power, great definition, and lovely elegance. This exquisite Shiraz is still young, but it possesses a degree of accessibility. It should age for two decades. It is a superb example of cutting edge winemaking being utilized on ancient Shiraz vines in the Barossa.

From a single vineyard in the Ebenezer region, this is simply stupendous stuff. It is a bit Port-like in its rich layers of blackberry fruit, but it also displays great freshness and drive, giving it a juicy, fresh fruit character that’s accented even more by dustings of pepper and dried spices. A beautiful marriage of drinkability and ageability; drink now–2020.

Smooth, round and spicy, with star anise and soy sauce overtones to the rich cherry and toast flavors, lingering on the generous finish. Has depth and impressive detail. Best from 2008 through 2015.

Not for nothing did the 2005 Amon-Ra receive 98 points from the Wine Advocate. It’s supple and rich, with a finish that lasted for at least a full minute (broken when I could no longer resist the temptation and had to take another sip!). Amazing complexity — layer upon layer of flavors unfold as the wine rolls around your mouth. Bright cherry deepens into black currant, black berry, toasted vanilla and a smattering of oak, finishing off with deep, black and stinging white pepper spice notes. Absolute perfection!