Shiraz cabernet or cabernet shiraz, the quintessential Australian blend, remains one of my favourite wine styles for the sole reason that they have a habit of being darn good. That Glaetzer should make a good one will be no real surprise for regular readers, as I like most of Ben Glaetzer’s wines. The 2010 Anaperenna – I rather apologise in advance for the likely multiple spellings of this to follow – is a blend of 72% shiraz and 28% cabernet sauvignon from old, low yielding vines (1 tonne per hectare) that sees 100% new oak (92% French, 8% American). And 2010 is a strong Barossa Valley shiraz vintage.
The result is an outstanding wine. My notes were relatively short, because I was too busy drinking it. The 2010 Glaetzer Anaperenna is a deep and brooding wine with young fresh plum fruit aromatics, that gives neither a strong impression of cabernet sauvignon nor shiraz. The palate is balanced with long length, and exquisite fruit – blackcurrant, plums and blueberries squished and intermingled. Such is the quality of its fruit expression and stuffing I expect that this wine will suit drinking at any time over the next 30 years. For the price, it is a real bargain. 95 points (outstanding)
Abv: 15.1%
Price: $44
Vendors: Check Wine-Searcher
Website: http://www.glaetzer.com
Tasted: August 2012
