Ben Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz 2022

Product Information:

Warm and rich example of Barossa Shiraz, that's elegantly structured with a long finish. It's well priced too, considering it's from the Ebenezer vineyard with its  35 to 120-year-old vines and super low yields. The wine was fermented in 1 and 2 tonne open fermenters, with extended maceration to enable good tannin and development. This softens the wine and allowing it be drinkable in its youth. Alluring black cherries, subtle tapenade and dried spice. It is both structured and layered and enjoys a smooth and supple texture. It is mouth-filling and persistent on the finish.

Matured for 16 months in a mix of 40% new oak and 60% 2— 3 year old oak hogshead barrels (90% French / 10% American).

Bishop is the family name of Colin's wife' Judith. The sign of Venus adorns the label, a symbol which has come to represent women and feminine energy. In mythology, the symbol meant the Roman goddess Venus or her Greek equivalent Aphrodite. But the sign has also been linked back to ancient Egypt – tying together the Bishop's link to Amon-Ra and Anaperenna. 

Glaetzer Bishop is a celebration of Barossa Shiraz that is elegantly structured with a long finish.

Maker:

The Glaetzer family has a deep rooted viticultural history in the Barossa Valley, dating back to 1888. After 30 years of winemaking, Colin Glaetzer established the family winery to create limited quantities of super premium Barossa Valley red wines. Today Colin's son Ben makes unique and elegant wines which are regarded as classics and unmistakably Barossan. All fruit for Glaetzer Wines is taken from a small sub district of the Northern Barossa Valley called Ebenezer which produces exceptional fruit from very old vines (30-130 years). The softness and elegance of Ebenezer fruit coupled with Ben Glaetzer's winemaking style results in generous wines with great depth of flavour that are also elegant, multilayered and finely balanced.

All fruit for Glaetzer Wines is taken from the small sub-region of the northern Barossa Valley, called Ebenezer. The ancient dry-grown vineyards in the renowned Ebenezer district are an important part of Australia’s winemaking heritage and a living link to traditional Barossa viticulture. Exceptional fruit comes from a loyal group of third and fourth generation Barossa grape growers, the backbone of Glaetzer wines. Most plants are trained to a standard single vine, with permanent arm, rod and spur.  But the most exceptional fruit is sourced from 80-110 year old, non-grafted bush vines which are extremely low yielding.

The oldest vines bear only 0.5 to 1 tonne per acre. Younger vines produce 2.5 to 3 tonnes per acre. Most of the vineyards are dry-grown (non-irrigated) but some of the newer vines (propagated from original plantings) have supplementary drip irrigation to combat stress in drought years. The very old vines require minimal attention. Their deep root structure means they are self-sufficient and can adapt to climatic extremes.

The climate and soils of the Barossa Valley vary markedly from north to south. The warmer Ebenezer district has low rainfall and relative humidity which results in full, intensely-coloured wines. The softness, elegance and approachability of Ebenezer fruit has become the hallmark of the Glaetzer 'house style’. Ebenezer has a unique soil profile. The well-drained sandy clay loam over a solid limestone pan is perfect for growing Shiraz. The soil is 'mean' and encourages deep roots which helps produce hugely concentrated wines of great character.

Vineyard:

Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 35—120 years old. With a yield of 3 tonnes per hectare.

Great drinking now but this wine will also benefit from up to 10-15 years of careful cellaring.

Nose - Black Cherry, Red Fruits, Baking Spice
Subtle yet generous with black cherries and dried spice. 

Palate - Peppercorn, Cherry Ripe, Cracked Pepper
Smooth & supple flavours of black cherry, olive and black pepper. 

Finish - Bright, Long, Generous Texture
Brightness and balancing tannin offer a long finish. 

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal -  Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Barossa Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%