Winemaker Notes
Glaetzer Wallace takes on the traditional Barossa Valley blend of Shiraz and Grenache in a modern way. The Shiraz brings backbone, flesh and body to the wine with the Grenache adding a soft, vibrant juiciness.
Blend: 72% Shiraz, 28% Grenache
Professional Ratings
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Australian Wine Companion
A 72/28% blend from Glaetzer's stomping ground of Ebenezer, the vines 50 and 100yo. Grenache had minimal oak contact, the shiraz matured in used hogsheads for 16 months. It's Glaetzer style, pure and simple: love it or leave it.
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James Suckling
This has attractive, ripe-raspberry aromas with a black-fruit core in a fresh, upbeat mode. The palate has a fleshy delivery of assertive blackberries, cassis and raspberries and delivers solid flavor and value.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Glaetzer's least-expensive offering is a terrific bargain. The 2018 Wallace Shiraz-Grenache is a 72-28 blend, offering hints of cola and plum on the nose, backed by brighter raspberry and strawberry notes. It's medium to full-bodied and framed by silky, fine-grained tannins, with a long, mouthwatering finish that hints at mocha and wood spice.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.