Grant Burge Balthasar Shiraz - 4 Pack Vertical

4-pack vertical collection containing one bottle of

2015 / 2018 / 2019 / 2021

2015 Balthasar, Stuart McCloskey, August 2025 "The bouquet provides a heady infusion of black and blue fruits, fresh mint and sage, coffee, sweet baking spices, leather, lead pencil, coal, a touch of wood smoke and dried meats. The perfume improves overtime – I suggest 1-2-hours in a decanter or 30-mins in your glass. Maturing and brooding. Dried orange peel develops - very inviting, indeed. The palate is medium-bodied, sweetly fruited (not overripe) and provides waves of succulence (brightness too). I love the feel – slippery and silky. Flavours unravel from blue and black fruits to mushroom broth and dried meat. Minty, fresh acidity. Old-school charm and in the position to be enjoyed now to 2030. Overdelivers…"

2018 Balthasar, Stuart McCloskey, August 2025 "Boom – a thunderous wine from the great, 2018 Eden Valley vintage, and it shows. Good lord – where on earth to start? This beauty ripples with a smörgåsbord of black and blue fruits, salted plum, raspberry coulis, black cherry, cinnamon toast, fresh mint / menthol, clove, kelp, a smidgeon of sweet piping tobacco is creeping in, dried orange peel and amaro bitters… Light florals (lavender) and blueberry compote with more aeration. This draws you into a fog of luscious potency – it’s so dark and so deep. Incredible. The palate is packed with ripe fruits. This feels lavish – the texture is a joy. I love the interplay between the ripe fruit, dusty spices, and a little bitter coffee… Flavours carry on for minutes. Fruit quality, a great vintage, and Craig Stansborough at the helm provides finesse to the power. This must have been a colossus upon its release. Epic wine for the money… Drink now (decant for 2-4-hours)."

2019 Balthasar, Stuart McCloskey August 2025 “The 2019 vintage was one of the Eden Valley's driest in recent years, resulting in rich and concentrated wines, and this is no exception. The bouquet is dense and packed with ripe, black fruits, warm ginger biscuits, clove, anise, iodine, fresh sage, mint and warm earth. There’s a touch of warmth however, the fruit quality outshines. The palate is rich and succulent – blue and black fruits are the main drivers with a touch of red fruited piquancy mid-palate. The spicing is sweet and the tannins soft and easy – smooth delivery. Alpine herbs add complexity and interest.  Despite vintage conditions, the finish is cool and exceptionally long. Notwithstanding the wine’s modest price – the fruit quality is excellent (as is the wine). Drink to 2030 / 2033.”

2021 Balthasar, Stuart McCloskey August 2025 “The 2021 Eden Valley vintage is widely considered a standout of the decade and a remarkable year for winemaking in the region. Following a cooler than usual December and a summer that was the coolest for 19 years, the Eden Valley experienced mild conditions during the peak growing season, leading to optimal ripening for reds. The bouquet is utterly fascinating and takes some airtime to unlock all the aromatics (I suggest a 2-hour decant). Try serving in Zalto’s Burgundy stem as it holds the perfume beautifully. Red fruits dominate as do woody and exotic spices, which meld beautifully with a waft of smouldering campfire, fresh sage, alpine herbs, violets, pink peppercorns and seaspray. The perfume improves over time – more evocative and more beautiful. I wish I could spend a few hours swirling and sniffing. By far my favourite bouquet out of the quartet. All those exquisite fragrances translate across to the palate. Upon the first sip - the fruit and tannins dissolve into a texture akin to milk chocolate melting by the warmth of your mouth. I would love to see this served blind amongst some of Australia’s bigger names. This is so classy. High-toned, amaro bitters, an effervescent twang of blood orange, five spice, rose, a pinch of sea salt and packed with freshness. Very Nebbiolo if you get my drift. What a wine… Just perfect and ridiculously cheap. I would like to sample this slightly chilled, which I will when our stocks arrive. For now, I am finished and must pack for my trip to the Isle of Skye.”