2004 Amon-Ra Shiraz. Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia. 15% alcohol. $75.
Amon-Ra represents winemaker Ben Glaetzer’s best effort from a given vintage. In 2004, he has produced a vin de garde. Glaetzer sourced the fruit for Amon-Ra from the North Ebenezer region of the Barossa. Vines were dry grown and ranged in age from 100 to 120 years. Yields from these ancient vines were scant – a quarter to one ton per acre. Glaetzer fermented the wine entirely in oak. All of the barrels were new with a medium toast half of which were American wood and the other half French oak from Allier. After 15 months aging on the lees, the wine was bottled without filtration. The 2004 is extremely dark with moderately pigmented legs. Young and tight aromas of plum, gunpowder and oak with bits of vanilla and chocolate. Tannic with loads of acid. Incredible length with flavors morphing through to the end. Less forward than past vintages but there is no denying that this wine has everything in place for successful cellaring. Drink 2014 to 2021. 95+ points.

Good to hear, Jones. Thanks! But, it does look like a long wait ahead... A few people here combined on a case that I purchased (before Parker's 93 point rating). I was hoping that the 04 is as good as the prior releases.

BTW LCC, in general the advise from the barossa is cherry pick the 04s and go long on 05.

I don't want to wait that long!! But I figured i would wait 4-5 years before touching another.

Hopefully Jones' notes indicate that this is starting to come together. My tasting from 2 months prior:

• 2004 Amon-Ra Shiraz Barossa Valley - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (2/12/2006)
  Opened but not decanted 7 hrs prior to tasting. Too tight to discern many particulars at all. Both the missus and I thought this was VERY awkward, almost foul at first. After initial tasting, splash decanted and aggressively swirled multiple times. Some of the overpowering graphite and green stems began to dissipate, but I put the balance into a 375 for the next night. Might have overly softened at this point. Incredibly deep coloring, fruits can now be found but have softened too much (should have tried with pancakes this morning?!) Was far more enjoyable than at first, but this'll take some time to figure itself out. Based on Glaetzer's phenomenal track record and the number of his wines I have and enjoy, I've got to assume this will far exceed where I've rated it today, however this 91 is as much hope as it is glimpses of todays reality. (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

$80, Retail

A very good bottle of wine. I’ve had better Amon-Ra(s) in my life than this 04, but still a very good bottle. I decanted an it hour. And, it needs a good 30-45 mins to get going, to “open up”. Parker rated it 93 points. At this time I don’t see 93 points. Will it get there? I am not so sure. I will wait another 1-3 to open another. And, see what happens…

Rating: 92 points (92+ may be). Right now, I don’t see a 93. Drink or hold. But, decant if driking now.

P.S.: Jones, have you gone back to this wine? I don't see 95+ @ all.

I haven't.  My maturity estimate was 2014 so my bottles have been gathering dust.