Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz 2004, Barossa Valley

Glaetzer Wines was established in 1995 to create limited quantities of benchmark reds, which reflect the quality and diversity of the Barossa Valley.  This family-owned company is an expression of more than 30 years of winemaking for Colin, and a new chapter for the Glaetzers who have been in the Barossa since 1888.   

Colin and his winemaker son Ben craft small volumes of super-premium wines, using exceptional fruit from ancient, dry-grown vineyards in the Ebenezer district of the valley.  With minimal intervention, they turn this fruit into wines which show Glaetzer’s trademark elegance and complexity.

Bishop Shiraz shares many qualities with its 'big brother' Glaetzer Shiraz. This full-bodied wine is made predominantly from 30 to 60-year-old vines at Ebenezer and always contains material from the oldest 80-year-old vines.  It is made from fruit components which are more up-front and generous - it shows more animated, youthful fruit characters as opposed to the more restrained structured Glaetzer Shiraz components.

The 2004 Glaetzer Bishop is deep red with purple hues.  A lifted nose of ripe plums, cinnamon and spice leads to flavours of liquorice and nutmeg supported by firm, rounded tannin.  The wine shows a hint of French oak which adds extra dimension to the wine's complexity.  The wine will age well for 6 to 8 years.

The name Bishop is the family name of Colin's wife Judith.

Technical Information
Winemakers:      Colin Glaetzer, Ben Glaetzer
Variety:              100% Shiraz, 40-80 year-old vines
Growing region:Barossa Valley, South Australia
Vinification:     After initial fermentation in small, open vats, the wine is matured in 15% French and 85% American oak hogsheads for 14 months.
Yield:             1.6- 2 tonnes per acre (equivalent to 3.95-4.94 tonnes per hectare)
Alcohol:          14.5%
pH:                  3.52    
Acidity:           6.8g/l