Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz 2008

NOTES

Bishop is the family name of Colin's wife Judith. In naming this wine, Colin wanted to pay tribute to his wife and to recognise her contribution to the family company. A powerful symbol dominates the label for Bishop Shiraz. Fittingly, the sign of Venus, which has come to represent women and feminine energy, is the centerpiece of the Bishop label's symbol. In mythology, the sign of Venus meant the Roman goddess Venus or her Greek equivalent Aphrodite. But the sign has also been linked back to ancient Egypt  - a nod to the Bishop's link to Amon-Ra and Anaperenna.

The 2007 vintage in the Barossa was a difficult year with both drought and frost resulting in below average yields - only 1/2 Ton - 1 Ton per acre across our range. The greatest challenge at Glaetzer has been to harness the intensity and concentration of fruit to keep the trademark elegance and balance across our portfolio of wines. Three years of low rainfall and the resultant dry sub-soil, meant less radiant heat around the vines and therefore greater risk of frost. The frost struck at bud burst and we lost 30% of this original crop. Due to this early damage, secondary bud burst was delayed and ripening was later than usual by about 3 weeks. The weather remained mild throughout the growing season but our crop was the smallest in many years.

THE WINE
A few of the fruit parcels which we have used for Anaperenna in previous vintages have been used in the 2007 Bishop cuvee carved from 80-120 year old vines. This means that in 2007, fruit from some of our oldest vines was used and it has enabled us to maintain the stylish Bishop structure and intensity. Our old vines handled the drought better than the younger vines and their fruit was softer, rounder and more generous - the desired style for Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz.