Balthazar of the Barossa vineyard is located on Stonewell Road, Marananga - a celebrated Barossa shiraz microcosm.  

The Balthazar of the Barossa vineyard was replanted in the 1990s on what was an original 19th century vineyard . The Shiraz vines were painstakingly sourced from one of the oldest known vineyards in the Barossa Valley whose origins date to 1847.

They are embedded in terra-rossa soil on the vineyard's pinnacle sun-drenched slope, and nurtured with hand pruning and sustainable practices including organic, straw mulching and minimal irrigation from the eco-dam, to achieve premium quality wine grapes. The result is small parcels of grapes bearing rich intensity of flavour, brilliant colour, inherent balance and optimal ripeness.

The crafting of Balthazar of the Barossa Shiraz begins with vinification in small open fermenters for 7-8 days, under temperature control with twice daily manual pumping over, to extract maximum colour and flavour. The wine is then racked and transferred into French and American oak barrels where it undergoes secondary malolactic fermentation in barrel. Balthazar of the Barossa Shiraz is then racked and returned back into barrel for maturation up to 24 months, before being bottled and labeled with Balthazar's international gold award winning label.

Cheers,
Anita Bowen
Vigneron & Winemaker

Harvested on Sunday 14th April 2002, the Balthazar shiraz grapes were vinified in small open fermenters for 8 days and hand plunged to maximise extraction of colour and flavour.

The 2002 Shiraz then spent 18 months maturing in both French and American oak barrels before being bottled on 15th December 2003.

Colour: Deep Garnet with blue hues

Nose: Lifted raspberry, blueberry, Satsuma plum and blackberry fruits overlaid with delicate spice/floral notes of thyme & dark red roses.

Palate: Ripe blackberry, plum and cherry fruit flavours with subtle wood derived nutmeg and mace notes on finish. Full, rich, even structure with fine acidity and fine firm tannins.

Analysis: pH: 3.40    Acid: 6.76g/L    Alcohol: 14.5%

Cellar: Drink whenever you feel like it or cellar to 2006 and beyond.

Big, powerful, plum, blackberry and a dash of prune; still locked up, but the balance is there.
90pts - James Halliday: James Halliday Wine Companion 2005 ed.