Teusner Big Jim 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.

The Wark Family are big on tradition and for as long as anyone can remember, the rooster at their farm at Stonewell in the Barossa has taken the name of the breeder. Current rooster in residence and king of the coop goes by the moniker Jim ’Big Jim’ named after James Wark. Big Jim is noble, he’s handsome, he’s vigorous and he’s virile. A solid all round unit and the perfect ambassador for the best Shiraz grown in the Wark Family’s vineyard.

This wine is black in the glass and the rich Shiraz flavours are super concentrated courtesy of the low yields in the vineyard. 18 months ageing in a mix of 50% new French hogsheads and 50% seasoned oak has lifted the spice notes to a new level and given the wine really fine structure. Marnie Wark was given the task of bringing Big Jim to life in a painting to grace the front label a big, black, bold and impressive bird he is, just like the wine that bears his name.

"20yo vines, machine-harvested, crushed/destemmed, open-fermented with cultured yeast, 5 days on skins, matured for 15 months in French oak (50% new). An impressive shiraz, medium to full-bodied, but with seriously attractive savoury nuances throughout, giving it a character all of its own, with a fusion of blackberry/plum flavours ex the /Barossa Valley, and earthy/bitter chocolate a la McLaren Vale. Drink by: 2039
James Halliday 96 Points"