2006 Tait The Ball Buster Shiraz Cabernet Merlot

The Tait winery and vineyard are owned by brothers Bruno and Michael together with Bruno’s wife, Michelle. The boy’s father Giovanni Tait migrated to Australia from Italy in 1957. Being Italian, wine had to be in the blood. His skill was not winemaking, but cooperage, which the family had practiced for over 100 years in Italy. Giovanni’s skills as a cooper were in great demand. He was employed by B. Seppelt and Sons where he became active in the production and maturation of wine in casks, however, it was not until 1994 that the family purchased a vineyard in Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley. Like many of his contemporaries, Bruno Tait believes that “quality wine starts in the vineyard.” Low yielding vines and traditional winemaking techniques, including open fermenters, extended maceration and basket pressings, enable the Taits to produce their big, ball busting reds.

The Ball Buster is composed of a blend of 78% Shiraz, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Opaque black crimson colour with black crimson hue, showing excellent cling. The nose is impressive, with lifted top note of violets, blackcurrant, confectionary and liquorice allsorts. The palate is full bodied and displays generous ripe fruit flavours. Mouthfilling flavours of spice, black pepper, plum and blackberry. Fine grained tannins, perfect balance. Aftertaste of spice, blackberry, black pepper and liquorice.
Cellar 3-4 years (2011-2012)
Alc/Vol: 15.7%

Other Reviews...
Tait has been establishing a track record for hedonistically rendered wines at consumer friendly prices for several years. Previous vintages of this wine have been smash hits and the 2006 The Ball Buster is a lock to continue the trend. It is a 15,000 case cuvee, all of which was basket-pressed, a labor-intensive process not commonly associated with a wine in this price category. The wine is composed of 78% Shiraz, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot aged for 12 months in used French and American oak. Purple-colored, it exhibits a classy bouquet of cedar, earth, tar, espresso, blueberry, black currants, and licorice. Supple, ripe and soft on the palate, this seamless, crowd-pleaser of a wine can be enjoyed now and over the next several years. It is an awesome value.
Drink 2007 - 2010
92 Points
Dr. Jay Miller - The Wine Advocate #173, Oct 2007