Introduction: Glaetzer Wines is a family-owned boutique winery founded in 1995 in the Barossa Valley, built on heritage that stretches back to 1888 when the first Glaetzers emigrated from Brandenburg, Germany and became among the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa and Clare Valleys. Today the winery is led by internationally acclaimed winemaker Ben Glaetzer, who sources all fruit exclusively from the Ebenezer sub-district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley — a small, little-known area celebrated for some of the oldest dry-grown Shiraz and Grenache vines in Australia. Wallace takes its name from the ancestral heritage of Ben's mother Judith, whose family hail from Cupar in Fife, Scotland — a nod embedded in the wine's label, which features a Celtic cross, thistle, and Celtic knot.

Terroir: Ebenezer is the secret behind Glaetzer's wines — a modest northern Barossa sub-district where ancient, ungrafted vines planted between 50 and 100 years ago grow in well-drained sandy clay loam over a solid limestone pan, dry-farmed without irrigation. The deep root structures of these old vines are self-sufficient and highly stress-adapted, producing exceptionally small yields of intensely concentrated fruit. The 2018 growing season was defined by above-average winter rainfall followed by a dry, warm spring and summer with a calm Indian summer in early March that allowed for even, unhurried ripening — ideal conditions that produced wines of exceptional aromatic purity, depth of color, and structural integrity.

Appearance: Vibrant, dark garnet with purple hues and bright red at the rim — vivid and youthful in the glass.

Nose: Wild cherry, dark plum, bright raspberry, and a hint of blueberry and rose petal open an expressive, fruit-forward bouquet. The Ebenezer terroir adds a light earthy quality and hints of Provençal lavender underneath the fruit, while cola, clove, and sweet baking spice from the Shiraz's 16 months in older hogsheads add depth without imposing wood character. Clean, vibrant, and inviting from the first pour.

Palate: Full-bodied and generously fruit-driven, with red and dark berry fruit — cherry, plum, cranberry, blackberry, and cassis — filling the palate with real richness and concentration. The Shiraz provides backbone, flesh, and a firm tannic frame while the old-vine Grenache (kept entirely away from oak) delivers a soft, vibrant juiciness and a freshness that lightens the wine's considerable fruit weight. Licorice, pepper, and subtle umami notes add savory complexity mid-palate, and the tannins are smooth and supple throughout. High alcohol (14.5%) is present but well-integrated across the wine's generous fruit.

Finish: Fresh and long — the Grenache's natural acidity keeps the finish bright and mouthwatering as the red berry fruit and spice fade gradually into a clean, mineral-touched close. More length and freshness than the price point might suggest.

Food Pairings:
🥩 Meat: Grilled lamb chops with rosemary, slow-roasted beef short ribs, or a wood-fired Barossa sausage with caramelized onions
🥦 Vegetarian: Mushroom and lentil shepherd's pie, roasted beetroot with walnuts and goat cheese, or a hearty ratatouille
🧀 Charcuterie Board: Aged cheddar, smoked Gouda, salami, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate

Overall Impression: The 2018 Glaetzer Wallace is a convincing, honest expression of the Barossa's most traditional blend — fruit-forward and generously structured, with the old-vine concentration and terroir character of Ebenezer giving it more depth and complexity than its entry-level positioning suggests. The restraint on the Grenache (no oak) and judicious use of older hogsheads for the Shiraz results in a wine that genuinely overdelivers on value. Drink now through 2026. Serve at 61–64°F.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 14.5%
Farming Practices: Dry-farmed; ungrafted old vines; no irrigation; sandy clay loam over limestone; minimal intervention in the vineyard; organic practices (uncertified); 3.5 tonnes per hectare yield
Producer Name: Glaetzer Wines (Ben Glaetzer)
Old World / New World: New World
Country of Origin: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia — Ebenezer sub-district (northern Barossa) Grape Varietals: Shiraz 72%, Grenache 28%
Vintage: 2018
Wine Style: Dry Red — Full-bodied, fruit-forward, and generously structured, with a concentrated old-vine Barossa Shiraz-Grenache profile shaped by dry-farmed Ebenezer terroir. Approachable in youth with short-to-medium-term aging potential.
Red Winemaking Techniques: Hand-harvested from 50–100 year old vines; Grenache kept entirely away from oak to preserve purity and fruit animation; Shiraz matured for 16 months in 2–3 year old French and American oak hogshead barrels (80% French / 20% American); blended and bottled
Pack Size:750ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Screwcap

91 points, Vinous:
"Dark magenta. A perfumed bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, candied flowers, and licorice, along with hints of cracked pepper and cured tobacco. Fleshy blackberry, cherry-cola, and floral pastille flavors show very good depth as well as energy and spicy lift. The clinging finish features fine-grained tannins and repeating floral and licorice notes."

90+ points, Robert Parker:
"The 2017 Wallace Shiraz-Grenache blend is heavily weighted toward shiraz (as usual), but it's the grenache that makes itself known on the nose, adding lovely florals and raspberries to the slightly darker-toned fruit of the shiraz. Medium to full-bodied, this is supple yet crisp—perhaps a bit youthful and angular—but finishes with silky tannins and plenty of length."

PRODUCT DETAILS:
Producer Name: Glaetzer Wines
Old/New World: New World
Country of Origin: Australia
Region: South Australia
Sub-Region: Barossa Valley
Appellation: Barossa Valley
Village/Vineyard/Climat: Ebenezer District
Grape Varietals: Shiraz and Grenache
Vintage: 2017
Product Type: Wine
Wine Style: Fuller Body Red
Winemaker: Ben Glaetzer
ABV: 14.5%
Pack/Size: 12/750 ml
Container Type: Dark Green Glass Bordeau-style bottle
Closure Style: Stelvin Closure