2019 The Ball Buster
TAIT
$32.67
32.67 CAD- Australia
- South Australia
12 x 750
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 intriguing combination of the ancient (a traditional basket press and open top fermenters) and the modern (computerized temperature monitors designed by techno whiz Bruno). The wines have classic Barossa richness and concentration, but with surprising freshness and balancing acidity. Tait Ball Buster is a classic expression of the Tait family's style. The concentrated ripe berry flavours typical of the Barossa are counterbalanced by a totally atypical level of juicy acidity. The result is a best of both world's combination of fruitiness and freshness; a wine that is deliciously rich without being jammy.
The Ball Buster has all of the intensity that such a name implies, but it is easygoing and generous at the same time; it's the perfect expression of soft-spoken Bruno's personality.
I have to commend Bruno [Tait] for keeping it real with regards to pricing. He always aims to over-deliver on value, exemplified by what must be one of our most consistent 90 point rated wines...the Ball Buster. I was treated to a vertical of Tait's Basket Pressed Shiraz during my visit - a classic Barossa beauty - which proved that it ages slowly and gracefully with the very best of Barossa's Shirazes...at a fraction of the cost.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, October 2015
Tait's Ballbuster has been a perennial favorite in the Wine Advocate since Robert Parker first rated the 2002 92 points back in 2003.
Joe Czerwinski, November 2019