2003 Amon-Ra Shiraz

Tasted just before bottling, this fabulous Shiraz, made from a 98- to110-year-old dry-farmed vineyard in the northern Ebenezer sector of Barossa, was cropped at .12-1 ton of fruit per acre. Aged 15 months in a combination of American oak hogsheads and French barriques, it is a brilliant effort from young winemaker Ben Glaetzer. Killer stuff, with notes of crushed rocks, acacia flowers, graphite, blackberries, cassis, and smoke, it possesses extraordinary concentration, tremendous purity, a seamless personality, and a magnificent finish that lasts over 60 seconds. Since this cuvee is never filtered, this tasting note should be accurate, if somewhat conservative for the bottled wine. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2016+. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 155