As the King of all Gods, Amon-Ra is considered the most powerful figure in Egyptian mythology. The temple of Amon-Ra is recorded as the birthplace of commercial winemaking, having the first ever large scale vineyard grown specifically to make wine for the citizens of the temple.

Variety: Dry-grown 105-115 year-old Shiraz vines (100%) Region: 100% Barossa Valley (Northern Ebenezer region) Fermentation: Fermented in 1 and 2 tonne open fermenters, hand plunged 3 times daily. Completed primary and MLF in oak and then matured for 15 months in oak, matured on lees to maintain fruit profile and animation, minimal SO2. Topped every 3 weeks. Oak: 40% fine-grained medium toast American coopered American oak hogsheads, 50% Allier medium toast Bordeaux coopered French oak. 10% Bordeaux coopered American oak hogsheads. 100% new oak. Yield: 0.25 – 1 tonne per acre (equivalent to 0.6-2.47 tonnes per hectare) Bottled unfiltered

Amon-Ra, McLaren Vale 2002 List $150 Sale $132 (95-98 points) "The 2002 Shiraz McLaren Vale was sourced from a 110-year old vineyard with yields of .75 tons of fruit per acre. It was aged in American oak, of which two-thirds were new. It boasts a black/blue color in addition to aromas of acacia flowers, liquid minerals, and copious amounts of black fruits. Extremely full-bodied, with terrific stuffing, texture, and length, it reveals tremendous presence on the palate without being overdone, overripe, or overly heavy. This sensational Shiraz is slightly more backward and tighter than its Barossa sibling. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020+. This is a wow-wow wine!" - Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s, The Wine Advocate, Issue 148

About Mitolo and Glaetzer Wines: Winemaking patriarch Colin Glaetzer established his own label to create wines he’s passionate about - limited quantities of benchmark Barossa Valley reds. It is the pinnacle of Colin's 30-year career with achievements such as his creation of the revered Barossa Valley Estates E & E Black Pepper Shiraz.

The birth of Glaetzer Wines also signaled a new era for Colin’s family which boasts more than its fair share of winemakers. The clan includes Colin, his oenology-trained wife Judith, twin brother/winemaker John, and five winemakers among the couple's three sons and their wives!

The first Glaetzers settled in the Barossa Valley in 1888 after emigrating from Brandenburg, Germany. The family left Germany on board the Nord-Deutscher Lloyd steamer “Habsburg” and took seven weeks to reach their final destination of Port Adelaide. From here they settled in a country town called Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley where they started their new life in Australia. The family was some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley and the current generation is firmly entrenched in the family wine business.

Colin and his winemaker son Ben have a shared philosophy. Both firmly believe that great wines are made in the vineyard. Their belief in “terroir” and an understanding of the ancient dry-grown vineyards in the renowned Ebenezer district of the Barossa is evident. Exceptional fruit from a loyal group of third and fourth generation Barossa grape growers is the backbone of Glaetzer wines. With minimal intervention, Colin and Ben make the unique, elegant wines which are regarded as classics and unmistakably Barossa Valley.

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 terroir and Australian vineyard site knowledge.

The Barossa Valley is one of the most famous regions of South Australia. With an abundant history dating back to 1847 and a distinctive – and profound - Silesian (German) influence, it is asserting its importance, and the immeasurable value of its storehouse of century old vines and historic wineries.

Vineyards
Fruit comes from the famed Ebenezer vineyard in the north west of the Barossa Valley. The old vines of Ebenezer are an important part of Australia's winemaking heritage and a living link to traditional Barossa viticulture.

The exceptional fruit used in the flagship Glaetzer Amon-ra Shiraz and Glaetzer Shiraz is sourced from 80-110 year old, non-grafted bush vines which are exceptionally low yielding.

The oldest vines bear only 0.5 to 1 ton per acre. Younger vines produce 2.5 to 3 tons per acre.

Most of the vineyards are 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. Available from http://winewatch.com

Amon-Ra, Godolphin, Barossa Valley 2004 List $62.75 Sale $55.22
(96-98 points) “This nearly perfect wine, made from 84% Shiraz (105- to 115-year-old vines) and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon (60- to 90-year-old vines), was cropped at a minuscule .5 to 1 ton of fruit per acre, and spent 15 months in French oak prior to bottling. Its gorgeously sweet, pure nose of crushed rocks, blueberries, cassis, and minerals soars from the glass. Floral-like black and blue fruits, an inky/purple color, and nearly endless depth and persistence on the palate are the stuff of legends. With extraordinary equilibrium, precision, and purity, it represents the apogee of Ben Glaetzer's winemaking talents.”

The name Godolphin has been linked with excellence in many fields; including politics, education and literature, and we are using the same ideals to make this wine.

The label echoes the Ancient Egyptian Ankh symbol (pronunciation: onk). Historically the ankh symbolized sunrise, regeneration, re growth and renewal.

The wine is a seamless fusion of two varieties, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, a vibrant plumy red in color. On the nose, there are lifted black currant and briary fruit, expressive of Cabernet Sauvignon, with pure cinnamon and chocolate spice. The palate has leafy, herbaceous notes and rich dark fruit flavors. Well-rounded and velvety, the tannins are ripe and focused.

Amon-Ra, Barossa Valley 2004 List $93.75 Sale $82.50
(94-96 points) “The finest of this trio is the flagship cuvee, the 2004 Shiraz produced from 80- to 150-year-old dry farmed vineyards in the northern Ebenezer sector of the Barossa. Aged 16 months in French oak and American hogsheads, this larger-than-life, fascinating wine (cropped at .25 to 1 ton of fruit per acre) offers big, sweet, blackberry and cassis characteristics intermixed with notions of smoke, licorice, and pain grille. A wine of amazing extract, richness, and full-bodied power, with great purity as well as balance, this stunning offering should age effortlessly for 15 or more years. Filled with personality, it is a tour de force in Barossa Shiraz. One of the stars in the Epicurean portfolio, the young Ben Glaetzer is establishing a reputation for high quality in South Australia, not only for the wines from his home winery, but also for his brilliant efforts under the Amon Ra and Mitolo labels. These are small volume, artesian efforts that capture the pure essence of old vine Barossa Shiraz and Grenache. This 2004 was tasted just prior to bottling. Drink 2005-2020”