2007 Glaetzer ‘Amon-Ra’ Shiraz, Barossa Valley, 2 bottles

Day 1: Dark red in color with moderate bricking, watery rim and plenty of tannin sediments on the side and bottom of the bottle but the wine is clean and clear. The nose is quite shy but what was revealed includes mature dark purple and red fruits, pronounced rubbery note, peppery spices, and some well-integrated oak. The palate is on the lower end of full-bodied, quite savory which was remarkable since I’ve never associated “savoriness” with other vintages (03, 04, 05, 06, 08, 09) of the Amon Ra that I’ve tasted. With a hour of aeration in the glass this wine soft yet intense and engaging with some noticeable alcoholic heat. The flavor profile includes is typical of a good quality 17 year old Barossa Valley Shiraz – the intensely rich dark peppery red and blue fruits, moderate tobacco, raw meat and worn old leather, old rubber tires, sandalwood, integrated vanilla oak, and finishes with a fleeting yet powerful flash of flinty mineral that transitions to a less intense essence of the wine that coats, lingers the mouth over a protracted period of time. However, I must say, the 2007 iteration of this wine is quite different than my previous experiences. Though hard to precisely pinpoint, it’s simply leaner, more vascular and less voluptuous then the other vintages that I have tried (on numerous occasions) but at the end of the day it’s still a big, bold and powerful South Australian Shiraz. Will revisit tomorrow to see how it develops. Day 2: The nose and palate seems to be more expressive, softer, rounder and better integrated. The rubber tire nose have pretty much completely dissipated but the alcoholic edge is still present which seem somewhat a bit too much (14.5% ABV) in contrast to the fruit (which have pretty much receded at this juncture in its development). It would have merited a higher rating if it weren’t for this. Day 3: drinking phenomenally well, the alcoholic edge is still present but it is what it is. Otherwise, everything else is wonderful, the best among the 3 nights.

3rd bottle of 12 bought on release. Slightly uneven on day 1, so only had one glass. A completely different story on day 2. Dense colour, tertiary characteristics starting to come through. Sous Bois, bit of cola, but still some nice fruit notes as well – blackberry seems prominent. In a word: Delightful! This wine is not yet at peak, and will drink nicely for a few decades after it peaks. I an in no rush to open my 4th bottle