2018 Glaetzer ‘Eye of Ra’ Shiraz

98 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2018 The Eye of Ra Shiraz is wildly aromatic: blood plum, pastrami, cracked peppercorns, clove bud, mountain herbs (alpine mint?), boysenberry, blackberry (actually, every black berry you can name), dark chocolate, squid ink, blueberry, resin and char. In the mouth, the wine is velvety and concentrated, …A galaxy of complexity exists in this glass. It shows the 2018 vintage off to its best effect: ripe, dense, concentrated, fresh and beguiling. Super good.

98 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2018 The Eye of Ra Shiraz is wildly aromatic: blood plum, pastrami, cracked peppercorns, clove bud, mountain herbs (alpine mint?), boysenberry, blackberry (actually, every black berry you can name), dark chocolate, squid ink, blueberry, resin and char. In the mouth, the wine is velvety and concentrated, with a surprising amount of detail embedded and embossed into the folds of tannin that shape the wine. This is very big, make no mistake, but also balanced between its sweet and savory sides. A galaxy of complexity exists in this glass. It shows the 2018 vintage off to its best effect: ripe, dense, concentrated, fresh and beguiling. Super good. The drinking window is conservative, however, as I prefer a modicum of primary fruit. It's important to note that it will age gracefully beyond that point, so it is up to you... The fruit for this cuvée is from Ebenezer, largely from Adrian Hoffman. Diverse soil types in the vineyard allow for diversity in picking and fruit flavors; this here is from the sandy/free-draining sections of the Ebenezer vineyard—from four blocks in the vineyard. It was handpicked, and picked based on flavor, then crushed, destemmed and cold fermented, barrel selection. It matured in 300-liter hogsheads for 14-16 months, in a combination of French oak coopers (100% new). Packaged in a black metal box, under natural cork and wax, this is a superstar.

96 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Vinous

The classic 2018 vintage is on show here in this 2018 Shiraz Eye of Ra, sourced from four Ebenezer vineyards before maturating for 16 months in new French oak. It is a classy wine from the get go. Roast meats, mulberry, and aged spices emerge, all composed and beautifully weighted, with touches of wood smoke completing the package. Voluptuous, creamy and superbly executed, it is a voluptuous rendition of Barossa with layer after layer of flavor building over a solid base of tannins. The finish is sustained, vibrant and beautifully balanced suggesting this wine has plenty to give over the next decade, and potentially two.

Matthew Jukes

…The volume of fruit is staggering, but its delivery is incredibly measured and even, and this is the trick. Rã is not a monster wine but a monstrously long wine. …While this icon wine has an iconic flavour, I must urge you to seek it out. Imagine all of Ben’s experience and skill in just one bottle – Rã is it. (Drink now – 2040) Score: 19/NaN