Wine Article

Winery Notes: 2006 Glaetzer Wallace is a wine greater than the sum of its parts - a fusion of Shiraz and Grenache, which is a typical, traditional blend in the Barossa Valley. Ripe, peppery old-vine shiraz dominates and adds weight, texture and fleshy richness to the palate. The grenache contributes sweet cherry, toffee and earthy characters. Wallace is superb drinking now but will reward careful cellaring for up to five years. Parcels of premium fruit are picked at full ripeness for vibrant colour, an abundance of juicy, berry flavours and spice. The wine also shows the elegance and finesse which underpins the Glaetzer style.

The creation of Wallace in 2002 enabled us to fully utilise the magnificent 80 year old Grenache vines that we had previously not blended. The clone we have access to is light in colour, almost Rose like, yet provides a huge level of tannin extraction and therefore lends itself to blend with Shiraz. The Grenache provides mid-palate richness and a strawberry/cherry like characteristic on the palate and the Shiraz provides tightness and focus. The 2006 release will carry the new Wallace label allowing the wine to now sit proudly alongside Bishop, Anaperenna and Amon-Ra. The 2006 will age well for 5 – 8 years and will develop further complexity after a couple of years in bottle.

Variety: 70% Shiraz, 30% Grenache. Region: 100% Barossa Valley (Northern Ebenezer region). Oak: 14 months in 3rd & 4th use French & American Oak. Yield: Shiraz 2-2.5 ton per acre (4.8-6 ton per hectare). Grenache: 2.5 - 3 ton per acre (4.6- 7.2 ton per hectare). Alcohol: 14.5%. pH: 3.4. Total Acidity: 6.7. Residual Sugar: .4 gm/L.

2006 Vintage Report. The lead-up to the 2006 Growing season included one of the driest Autumns on record. Late season opening rains were experienced in October and November with the cool, mild conditions extending until January. A series of heat waves were experienced in late January and early February which meant slow ripening and vegetative growth. Despite the daytime heat, evening temperatures were mild to cool and rainfall was average. Mild climatic conditions continued through February and March and the slightly above average rainfall kept the vines fresh and the fruit ripened slowly and evenly. The stop/start heat/cool of 2005 meant that the wines had intense colour and overt tannin while young; the 2006 wines display slightly less colour and have a refined, almost elegant palate. Similarities can certainly be drawn to the 2004 vintage in terms of approachability and the wines from 2006 have the inherent, balanced structure to enable them to be considered some of the most viable medium to long term cellaring potential that we have so far produced. - Ben Glaetzer, August 2007