2018 Teusner Riebke Shiraz, Barossa Valley

90% shiraz, 10% grenache. It offers a mouthful of fruit-filled flavour and it does so in good, comfortable style. Licorice and blackberry flavours aplenty. Uncomplicated in a good way. Satisfying.

92 points Campbell Mattinson winecompanion.com.au

There is a certain honesty to Teusner wines that keeps people coming back. Kym Teusner has built his reputation on working closely with Barossa growers, sourcing fruit from old vine sites and letting those vineyards speak without overworking the wines. The Riebke Shiraz comes from the Riebke family vineyards, long respected in the Barossa for producing fruit with both generosity and structure.

The 2018 vintage brings plenty of depth, shaped by a warm, even growing season that delivered ripe, expressive fruit without tipping into excess. Dark plum and blackberry sit front and centre, with layers of liquorice, mocha and a touch of baking spice. There is a gentle savoury thread running underneath, adding interest and keeping things grounded.

Across the palate it is full and generous, but well balanced. Plush fruit is supported by soft, rounded tannins and enough freshness to carry the wine through without feeling heavy. A hint of dark chocolate and spice lingers on the finish, making it immediately appealing while still holding a bit of structure.

This is made for hearty, flavour driven food. Think slow cooked lamb shoulder, smoky barbecue ribs, or a rich beef and stout pie. It also handles chargrilled vegetables with ease, especially eggplant and capsicum, where that ripe fruit and spice combination really shines.

Drinking beautifully now, though it will comfortably cellar for another five to seven years, gradually picking up more savoury complexity along the way.