Balthazar was the last of the Babylonian kings whose empire ended after he drank from a mythical sacred chalice. A fascination with ancient history and an appreciation of the deep sense of irony that befalls those who choose their drinks - and drinking vessels - unwisely, prompted our name.

The Balthazar Vineyard is located near the town of Marananga in Australia's most famous wine region, the Barossa. Our neighbours are Penfolds, Torbreck and Peter Lehmann who all chose these western Barossa slopes for their shallow soils, moderate rainfall and low yields - perfect conditions for growing premium Shiraz grapes. We have three vineyard Shiraz blocks, differentiated by soil type, depth and fertility. The House Block is south-facing on shallow red earth over iron stone and its yields are low - around five to six tonnes/hectare. The north facing Hill Block on red earth over calcareous white clay has yields of six to eight tonnes/hectare. The Dam Block on the flats is planted on deep alluvial red earths and yields between eight and ten tonnes/hectare. The three bocks provide flexibility at harvest and the opportunity to ferment and mature the different fruit parcels separately in Francois Frere French oak hogsheads for up to 24 months. Balthazar Shiraz is carefully selected from the three blocks to achieve a balance of voluptuous, concentrated fruit and fine, silky tannins. Balthazar is an exclusive premium producer of just 12,000 bottles per year.

2009 Shiraz

A powerful, complex yet balanced and elegant wine from the smallest Balthazar vintage on record. Winner of THE LYNAS VALLEY FORD TROPHY for Best Mature Dry Red Shiraz, Class 11.

$300

Out of stock

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Reviews

The 2009 growing season was hot and dry, characterised by well below average rainfall with no rain falling in January & February 2009 and a 2 week heatwave early February. The first rain event of 2009 preceeded harvest of the House Block on 5th & the Hill Block on 6th March. Yields were significantly down by 46% on average, though the smaller size & number of bunches meant above-average intensity of colour and flavour.

The 2 parcels of House & Hill block shiraz grapes were vinified separately in small, open-top, temperature controlled fermenters for 7 days & pumped over twice daily.

Racked into premium 33% new and 66% seasoned French oak hogsheads, the 2 components were matured for 25 months before blending and bottling in May 2011 to ensure bottle maturation before retail release.

Closure: Screwcap

Colour: bright crimson
Nose: concentrated dark red berry fruits
Palate: juice dark berry fruit flavours ; spice, savoury balanced with great depth and length on the palate with long tannins persisting.
Vital Statistics: ALC 14.8% | pH: 3.46 | Ta: 7.20 | RS: 4.0 g/L
Cellar: 2030

Dense purple-crimson; from the 24.93ha estate vineyard in the highly regarded Marananga subregion, and spent 25 months in predominantly French oak hogsheads; it has power and focus to the cascade of black fruits on the medium to full-bodied palate, yet retains balance and a certain elegance. Rating 95. James Halliday 2014 Australian Wine Companion

Degustation feasts, eucharistic tastings, mythical press reviews, wine show trophies, medals and other gongs, terrestrial vintage reports and biblical Barossa trivia…

September 19, 2014

Last night the 2009 Balthazar Shiraz received another gold medal and The Lynas Valley Ford Trophy at the 2014 Barossa Wine Show for the Best Mature Dry Red Shiraz, Class 11.

September 1, 2014

2009 Balthazar Shiraz is a 95 Point James Halliday rated wine. It received the Cozwine Trophy for Best Shiraz 2009 or older at the 2012 Marananga Wine Show, along with, to date 3 Gold, 4 Silver and 4 Bronze medals from Australian & International wine shows.

August 30, 2014

2010 Balthazar Shiraz received 3 awards. The Cozwine Trophy for Best Shiraz 2011 or older and The Cooperages 1912 Trophy for Best Wine of Show. It also won The Louise & Appellation People’s Choice Award, judged as the best of the Gold Medal winning wines by the public. Great to see consumers agreeing with judges! […]

Balthazar was the last of the Babylonian kings whose empire ended after he drank from a mythical sacred chalice. A fascination with ancient history and an appreciation of the deep sense of irony that befalls those who choose their drinks - and drinking vessels - unwisely, prompted our name.

2009 Shiraz

2010 Shiraz

2009 Shiraz

2008 Shiraz

2007 Shiraz

2006 Shiraz

2005 Shiraz

2004 Shiraz

2003 Shiraz

2002 Shiraz

2001 Shiraz

Degustation feasts, eucharistic tastings, mythical press reviews, wine show trophies, medals and other gongs, terrestrial vintage reports and biblical Barossa trivia…