JM 1ST APPROACH

Joshua holds a special place at Teusner. It was the first wine Mick and I made, launching Teusner Wines back in 2002. We love the juicy, spicy flavours of the classic Barossa Varietals – Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz – untouched by the influence of Oak. Along the way it (and us) has made many friends.” Kym Teusner.

This was a wonderful year for Barossa reds. The Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz all looked as good as we could remember seeing since we started Teusner. The 70 year old Grenache grown in the sandy soils of the Riebke vineyard in Northern Barossa provides the back bone for this wine. Mataro is sourced from the harder red dirt around Williamstown in the south and Stockwell in the North and the blend is rounded out with about 14% Shiraz from the Koonunga sub district.

Blend : 63% Grenache, 23% Mataro, 14% Shiraz ...  There are aromas of ripe, dark plums and nuances of chocolate. The palate is soft and friendly with mouth filling flavour and fine, spicy Mataro tannins. Like all 2012 wines, the aromas and flavours are pure and fresh reflecting the quality of this incredible vintage.

The Teusner Joshua sees no oak. This year’s version is made up of 63% Grenache from the 70 year-old vines of the Riebke Vineyard in the northern Barossa, 23% Mataro sourced from Williamstown in the south and Stockwell in the north and 14% Shiraz from Koonunga. It’s almost always an impressive wine but this is the best release to date. It obliterates the (false) dichotomy between complexity and drinkability. Windsor's Choice

Ginger and Asian spice, milk chocolate, soy, earth and iron provide the counterpoint to unfettered and vivacious red fruits and plums. The whole package is flecked with fetching blueberry. Perfectly pitched acidity and gloriously textured natural grape tannin with a hint of black tea on the finish. Truly exciting gear. Get stuck into it while it’s young. 94 points Excellent Wine Will Eat Itself

Here’s a wine for lovers of Barossa power that is completely under control; for wines with flavour but also impeccable balance, even elegance. Kym Teusner is one of the most talented young winemakers in the Barossa Valley and this is a delicious unoaked and fruit-forward blend of three classic regional varieties; grenache, mataro and shiraz. From what is being praised as a stellar year for Barossa reds, this is has a summer pudding nose and is a soft, plush almost indecently pleasurable wine; plummy but pristine and offering immediate drinking pleasure. $28.

Tasted too many wines last night, and too quickly, given my poorly physical condition, but this one popped up and said ‘excitement!’ and made me feel that little bit better.

The best vintage of Joshua ever, might I suggest? It’s a blend of Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz. A pretty wine with its floral top notes, but also one of depth and exquisite balance. Raspberry, blackberry, baking spice and earthy bits – plenty to sink your teeth into here. It’s medium bodied with an uninterrupted flow of flavour, a smooth web of fine tannin and a very long finish. So satisfying. Textbook Barossa GSM blend stuff. 94+ points WIne front.com.au