The Ball Buster
We know a lot of you love the punchy and bold packaging “The Ball Buster” has had for over 12 years, however we felt it was time for a change. The new design for our range is more elegant and the names of the wines more subtle, however the wine is still the same taste profile. We wouldn’t dare mess with what works so well ! The stories on the back labels remain for “The Ball Buster” and “The Wild Ride”, so you will still be able to refer to the “tongue in cheek” banter that has drawn you to the wines!
Next time you are at your local restaurant or bottle shop, you might see this neck tag on our beloved Ball Buster.
It’s to make you aware that: Since it’s first vintage in 2002, TAIT “The Ball Buster” has scored 90 points or more for 16 consecutive years in “the Wine Advocate”. NO OTHER wine in the world has achieved this at this price point. What an accolade!
The 2012 Ball Buster – one of Australia’s Greatest Value Wines 2014
We are thrilled to announce the 2012 Ball Buster was listed as one of Australia’s Greatest Value Wines 2014 by Lisa Perrotti-Brown of The Wine Advocate. In writing about her personal favorite wine bargains of the year Lisa notes “ 2012 was a fantastic vintage in South Australia for effortlessly producing great value Shiraz and Grenache… one of the most consistent high-quality value wines out of the Barossa: The Ball Buster!”
Each time something odd happens, we say to ourselves, it is a “Ball Buster” moment! Like the time we were loading a tanker with “The Ball Buster” blend and the tanker tipped up. Luckily we only lost 20 litres
As the back label suggests, the wine was going to be called “Michelle’s Block” after my wife Michelle however we really wanted something punchier and eye catching; something that would standout and say “buy me”!! The quality of the wine would then lead them to buy the next case or two. As soon as our USA importers tasted the barrel sample they got onto the phone and explained this wine needed another name, as “Michelle’s Block” conjures up visions of a soft and elegant sort of wine – and trust me mates, this little beauty is nothing like that.
Sitting down with our neighbors, a thesaurus and the wine in our glasses, we brainstormed many ideas for the wine and back label. We laughed how the wine industry can ‘bust your balls’ and cause blood, sweat and tears. So, with our ideas in mind, the discussions with our US importer and our US agent’s brilliant word-play ability, ‘The Ball Buster’ was created.
Initially we did have reservations on the name, however, after a few hours of soul searching we decided to go for it! We wanted this wine to make a statement; we wanted to break the wine snob barrier; we wanted to make great tasting wine at an affordable price; wine that people could enjoy and have a laugh about. All too often wine is described with certain adjective’s, but lets face it the majority of us only know if we like it or not. This is the way I like to make my wine. I hope that you all do to.
Since the first vintage in 2002, demand has been steadily increasing. The majority of these cases are sent straight to the US. The rest of the supply is distributed to Canada, Asia, Denmark and here in the Australian domestic market, including cellar door
The Ballbuster is Australia’s #1 wine selling in the US for under $20US
Tait Wines Ball Buster makes an appearance, scoring 36 in the Top 100. see: Top 100
