Balthazar of the Barossa
Balthazar of the Barossa Shiraz 2006
“Opulent. Seductive. Complex. Concentrated. Generous. Balanced. The 2006 Balthazar Shiraz is now waiting for your immediate enjoyment or for cellaring, which will enhance your future drinking pleasure. This is the first Balthazar in screwcap! Enjoy!” – Anita
Viti
Solid Spring rains in October, with a few sizeable spits during Summer helped carry the vines and their crop through to harvest in mid-March. We were fortunate to harvest just before an unseasonal 24 hour deluge of 50ml that fell late March. Usual viti practices of shoot thinning, straw mulching, organic spray regime helped the vines along.
Vini
Harvested from the Hill Block on 16th, and House Block on 23rd of March, the 2 parcels were vinified separately in small, open-top fermenters for 7 days being pumped over twice daily. Racked into new & seasoned French and American oak barrels, the 2 components matured for 19 months before being blended and bottled in December 2007.
Vino
Colour: Bright garnet rim with deep ruby hue
Palate: Bright, spiced red and black fruits, anise notes supported by smooth, slippery tannins, finishing luscious and long.
Cellar: Totally approachable now but you can sit on it up to 2025.
Reviews
“Deep and bright colour; the first impression of this wine is the oak, but underneath there is a brooding dark quality to the fruit; layered, complex and very polished bright red and black fruits come through on the palate, and the finish is long, even and generous” – 95 James Halliday 2010 Wine Companion
“This is one of the emerging smaller-production Barossa wines setting the landscape alight, winning top gold in the recent Barossa Wine Show amidst revered and famous company. Anita Bowen has transitioned nicely from sex therapist to winemaker and crafted a gently seductive 2006 Shiraz, displaying sheer fruit power and concentration without ever looking like stepping over the line of balance. Spiced plums and blackberry fruit, some anise and gentle tarry notes; the oak is cast in a supporting role. Tannins flow in smooth lines from start to finish, resolved and shapely; this will mature evenly for 12+years.” – 94 Nick Stock. The Adelaide Review Oct 2008.
