Amon Ra - 2007

In the world of good wine, great wine, and wine that screams "ARE YOU KIDDING ME", the 2007 Amon Ra from Ben Glaetzer is that rare gem that reminds you why you love red wine.  

This wine has everything that I am looking for in Barossa Shiraz.   I compare it to the innocent librarian you walk by...you know the type, cute, hipster glasses and unassuming.  More on that later......

The fancy language and facts from the tasting notes

 Variety: 100% Dry-grown shiraz
Region: All fruit for Glaetzer wines is taken from the small sub-region of the northern
Barossa Valley, called Ebenezer. The viticulture used is standard single wire, with
permanent arm and rod and spur. Many of the very old vines (80-120 years old)
have now been trained onto a trellis for ease of pruning, harvesting and for disease
and frost control.
Age of vines: 50- 120 years old
Vineyard yield: 1/2 T / acre (1.2 Tonnes per hectare)
Vinification: Fermented in 1 and 2 tonne open fermenters, hand plunged 3 times daily.
A small percentage completed primary fermentation in oak
Matured on lees to maintain fruit profile and animation, minimal SO2.
Topped up every 3 weeks.
Oak: 20% American and 80% French (90% hogsheads & 10% barriques)
Age of barrels: 100% new oak Time in barrel: 15 months, then bottled unfiltered
Alc/Vol: 14.5% pH: 3.47
Total Acidity: 7.10g/l Residual Sugar: 0.8 g/l
Cellaring: 15 years

On to the important part - 

My Review.

This wine is a monster of a red. Smooth on the palate but also makes you feel awkward like a  first kiss but with resistance that quickly will erase any feeling of regret.  Amon Ra will make you a little weak in the knees and it is not for the timid.  Just like the unassuming woman in the library, it will take control of the situation in no time.   It fills the room with an aroma of decadence, bad behavior and anticipation.  Did I return that darn  book in time????

There is no sneaking up on this wine as it knows what you did before you got up this morning and knows what you are about to do next.

On the healthy side of the alcohol content (14% +) , have some food with this interlude.  Like most of the Shiraz I have had, cured meats, olive oil and garlic with a crusty bread are an excellent match.

I enjoyed it with great company and a sirloin tip roast swimming in garlic and black pepper.

The wine was given about 2 hours of room before the dance started and that dance was slow and seductive.  Do not rush this wine, take your time, get acquainted  and then enjoy.  When this red has you in the grasp, it will hold you and then like the first kiss, it will linger, only letting go when ready,  and you are wishing for more.

Pepper, black fruit, blah, blah, blah. Leave this part to the people who are paid to write reviews.

The true nature of this wine is pure decadence.  Like a Roman orgy, this wine is naughty.

The flavor of this red, and the layers of complexity are difficult to express in words.


Get a bottle and experience it for yourself.


Enjoy.