Teusner Albert Shiraz 2014

Teusner Wines came into being late in 2001 when Kym Teusner witnessed a conversation between his girlfriend’s uncle and his brother. They were discussing the viability of an old Grenache vineyard, planted in the Northern Barossa Valley by their grandfather. The low yields and low prices being paid by the ‘Big Boys’ meant that the vineyard was running at a loss and was facing certain destruction! Kym was loath to hear this and approached his brother in law, now business partner, to see if they could scratch together enough cash to keep these gnarled old vines in the ground. In that first year they raised enough capital for only about a quarter of the fruit from that vineyard, but this was enough for the Riebke brothers to stall their plans for these precious old vines. They were aware of a few other old blocks that fruit could be sourced from, if required, and made the first release with 165 cases of 2002 Joshua. In addition to this about 8 hogsheads of Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz was put aside, destined to be released around 24 months later as Avatar.

Our philosophy is to produce only exceptional, affordable wines by being very selective about the fruit that we source from old, well maintained vineyards. These vineyards reliably produce balanced, complex fruit which we guide, with minimal inputs, into wine. Our fruit sources are predominantly family and close friends, which allows us this selectivity in which fruit we vinify.

Albert Shiraz is named after Kym Teusner’s Grandfather, Albert Alfred Teusner, a man admired for his commitment and his persistence. Like previous vintages, Albert Shiraz is made from parcels of fruit sourced from a couple of our favourite vineyards, an old block at Ebenezer in the Barossa’s North and another at the Barossa’s South Eastern most extremity at Williamstown.

2014 vintage was both challenging and rewarding with above average temperatures throughout the growing season despite above average rainfalls in winter and spring. Late November frosts proved challenging for some vineyards but when vintage started in January nobody expected a huge grassfire in Eden Valley which proved devastating for some growers. To add insult to injury Mother nature opened up the heavens with 30% of the average annual rainfall coming down on Valentines Day. Whilst yields were again down, the quality across the varietal spectrum looked solid. The older Barossa Valley vineyards typically yield fruit of concentrated flavour and soft, supple and velvety tannins that set them apart from the younger stuff.

"70+yo vines, destemmed, open-fermented with cultured yeast, 6 days on skins, matured in French hogsheads (3% new) for 18 months. The highly charged bouquet set my antennae waving furiously, and the palate instantaneously cried wondrous quality. Black and blue fruits intersect with spices of all kinds, augmented by quality French oak. The wine has exceptional intensity to the bouquet and palate alike, but does so with a fresh, light touch. To know it is to love it at first sight. 98 Points - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion"