Ben Glaetzer Anaperenna 2021

Ben Glaetzer Anaperenna is a wine that captures the modern spirit of the Barossa Valley: unapologetically bold, richly flavoured and built with serious intent, yet far more polished and sophisticated than its power might first suggest. It comes from Ben Glaetzer, one of Australia’s best known young generation winemakers and a member of the family behind Glaetzer Wines, whose roots in the Barossa stretch back generations. With Anaperenna, Glaetzer set out to create a wine that expressed the extraordinary concentration of old-vine Barossa fruit while adding structure, freshness and elegance.

Origins

The name Anaperenna is inspired by the Roman goddess of the New Year, a fitting choice for a wine associated with a new chapter in Australian winemaking. The blend traditionally brings together Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, two varieties that work remarkably well in the Barossa. Shiraz supplies the generosity, dark fruit and unmistakable regional richness, while Cabernet contributes structure, definition and a firm backbone that keeps the wine from becoming overly opulent.

Winemaking

In the winery, the emphasis is firmly on fruit quality and precision rather than unnecessary intervention. Fruit is sourced from low yielding, mature vines, allowing Glaetzer to work with naturally concentrated flavours. Fermentation is carefully managed to extract colour, flavour and tannin without losing balance, followed by maturation in quality French and American oak. The result is a wine where oak plays a supporting role rather than stealing the show.

Tasting

In the glass, Anaperenna is immediately generous. Think blackberry, ripe plum, blackcurrant and dark chocolate, layered with spice, mocha, subtle vanilla and hints of savoury complexity. It has the richness expected of a Barossa icon, but there is also a sense of tension running through the wine. The palate is full and powerful, yet remarkably supple, with polished tannins providing shape and a long, persistent finish. It is the sort of wine that announces itself confidently without needing to shout.

Awards and Accolades

Its reputation has been reinforced by an impressive record of critical acclaim, with the Anaperenna label earning high scores and strong praise from leading wine critics and competitions over the years. It has become one of Ben Glaetzer’s signature wines and a compelling example of what Australia can achieve when old-vine fruit, ambitious winemaking and a distinctly modern sense of balance come together.

For anyone discovering Australian fine wine, Anaperenna makes a persuasive introduction. It has the muscle, intensity and personality of the Barossa, but it also has detail and sophistication. This is not simply a big Australian red; it is a carefully constructed wine with a sense of place, pedigree and purpose. Open a bottle with a hearty meal, give it time in the glass, and Anaperenna reveals why Ben Glaetzer has built such a formidable reputation both in Australia and on the international wine stage.