W.O.T.W

This weeks wine of the week always makes me laugh.  Not because of the juice inside but because of the name, Tait "The Ball Buster" Red 2009, Barossa Valley Australia.  Leave it up to the cooky Aussie's to come up with a name like that!  In all honesty, don't take this wine lightly(it might bust your balls).  This estate is making world class wines with the pub to follow.

Tait Winery is located at the southern end of the famous Barossa Valley, in a town called Lyndoch in South Australia, and overlooks the spectacular Barossa Ranges. The owners of the winery are brothers Michael and Bruno Tait, and Bruno's wife, Michelle. They purchased the property in 1994 with the purpose of continuing their family's involvement in the winemaking industry. Although fairly new to the winemaking aspect of the industry, the Tait family has long established roots in the South Australian wine industry.

Michael and Bruno's vision for Tait Wines was a traditional winery, using all the old winemaking methods to produce handcrafted wines that were full-flavored and tasty. The Barossa fruit they use is always very low-yielding and produces highly concentrated flavors and aromas. The grapes used to make Tait Wines are all grown in the Barossa Valley, either by Michael and Bruno or by partnering grape growers who have the same winemaking philosophy as they do. The obvious attention to detail along with strong relationships with his growers has allowed Bruno access to high quality fruit (the old vine fruit is from vines 50-80 years old) which he has then transformed into wines that are reflective of his personality - big, generous with loads of personality. A minimal spraying philosophy is used to ensure a chemical-free wine.

Tait Wines is truly the epitome of the boutique winery. Winemaker Bruno's winemaking philosophy is a simple one – source the highest quality grapes possible, preferably from old vines, and then produce limited quantities of full-bodied, rich flavored wines that are mouth-filling and soft-textured, expressing the generosity of the Barossa at its best.

The 2009 Ball Buster is a blend of 73% Shiraz, 16% Merlot and 11% Cabernet.  The wine spends 12 months in American oak and shows a great depth of intense aromas.  The 2009 represents the 8th straight year of 90+ Points from Robert Parker.

"Deep garnet color and aromas of blackberry preserves, prunes, mulberries and dried leaves with nuances of Indian spices and dusty earth. Full bodied and rich in the mouth, it has a high level of acid providing freshness to the generous fruit and a medium-firm level of grainy tannins, finish long with lingering notes of anise.  Australia's best value wine under $20." 90 Points-Wine Advocate.

Now you might still be wondering why this awesome Aussie blend is called The Ball Buster?  Origanally named "Michelle's Block" after Bruno's wife.  After endless bottles and stories with friends, Bruno felt that with his wife being broad shouldered and built like a stallion that packs a punch of endless intensity, and this bottle of wine that punches you in the mouth with rich aromas and flavors, that his nickname better suited the wine - The Ball Buster!  This bottle is a lot of wine for under 20 bucks and for you fans of Australian wines a must try.