Blanchards Glaetzer Shiraz Bishop 2005

Robert Parker 91 points - Readers should think of it as a French Vacqueyras on steroids. From 60-year-old vines in the Ebenezer district of Barossa, the 2005 Shiraz Bishop sees mostly French oak. It reveals a dense ruby/purple hue, beautiful, attractive notes of pepper, spice box, blackberries, and currants, and amazing richness as well as surprising elegance and definition. It can be consumed over the next 10-15 years. (Oct 2006)

Wine Spectator 92 points - Beautifully structured, with blueberry, plum and black olive character on a sleek frame. The flavors are nimbly balanced against refined acidity and just enough tannins to keep things harmonious and very, very long. Best from 2008 through 2015. 2,500 cases made. –HS (Jan 1 2007)

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Producer

The Glaetzer philosophy focuses simply on the production of small-volume, super premium wines. The company holds a firm belief that the wines are made in the vineyard – a combination of the French notion of terroir combined with Australian vineyard site knowledge. The wines are produced from vines grown in well-drained sandy clay loam over a solid limestone pan. This particular soil, widely recognized as the best for dry grown Shiraz , is limited to the Ebenezer region in the northwestern part of the Barossa Valley . Yields are exceptionally low, with 1 to 1 1/2 tons per acre of Shiraz from some of the 80-year old vines being common. Glaetzer has exceptional fruit, and thus opts for a minimalist approach.