The Ball Buster 2018

TAIT

The Ball Buster
2018

Country
Australia
Regulated designation
Geographical Indication (GI)
Region
South Australia
Subregion
Barossa, Barossa Valley
Varietal(s)
Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website

About this winery

Tait is a classic small family winery, dedicated to producing traditional handmade wines from old-vine Barossa fruit. Winemaker Bruno Tait, and brother Michael, are fulfilling the dream of their father Giovanni Tait who emigrated to Australia from Italy in 1957. Interestingly the surname Tait is Scottish: Giovanni's ancestors had moved from Scotland to Italy many generations ago. The Taits are modest, hardworking people who produce wines that are always excellent value. Winemaking is an...

See the TAIT detail page for more information on this brand

Production notes

The grapes that make up the Ball Buster blend are sourced from different vineyard locations throughout the Barossa. Vineyard sites are chosen to ensure that the resultant fruit is intense and that cropping levels do not exceed 3.5 tones an acre; typically these are clay soils on the fringes of the Barossa. Each vineyard site is visited twice a week during the maturing season to ensure that the fruit is maturing slowly and that water is only applied when necessary. Picking is only done when the grapes are physiologically ripe.

Tasting notes

Opaque ruby. Smoke-accented aromas of ripe dark berries, pungent flowers and vanilla, along with a hint of white pepper that adds spicy lift. Concentrated, expansive cherry liqueur, blackberry and fruitcake flavors become more energetic as the wine opens up. Round, well-knit tannins frame the appealingly sweet finish, which hangs on with impressive, dark fruit-dominated persistence.

Press reviews

Vinous

- 91 points -

January 2021 (Vintage 2018)

Opaque ruby. Smoke-accented aromas of ripe dark berries, pungent flowers and vanilla, along with a hint of white pepper that adds spicy lift. Concentrated, expansive cherry liqueur, blackberry and fruitcake flavors become more energetic as the wine opens up. Round, well-knit tannins frame the appealingly sweet finish, which hangs on with impressive, dark fruit-dominated persistence.

See detailed press review