2023 Teusner The Gentleman Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon from the Barossa tends to be overlooked, with fashion currently favouring wines from maritime locations with more temperate climate conditions. There are a lot of great Cabernet vineyards across the Barossa and Eden Valleys though, and many with old vines producing consistently high-quality fruit. The best wines combine generous warm climate fruit power with elegance attained through careful winemaking.

Approximately 40% of this wine originates from David Forrest’s vineyard at an altitude of around 400m in the Eden Valley. This is one of the highest points in the Barossa region and produces truly exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. The lean soils keep yields low and the berries small and intensely flavoursome. 60% of the blend is sourced from three vineyards lower in the Barossa Valley: Riebke’s at Ebenezer, Hoffman near Tanunda and Semmler in Lyndoch. These parcels add structure and weight to the Gentleman blend.

2022 vintage was generally mild across the Barossa and resulted in well-balanced flavours. The mild autumn extended the ripening, and contributed to optimal grape maturity for Cabernet Sauvignon across the valleys. The result is a wine with lifted varietal aromatics in the blue fruit spectrum. Classic Cabernet elegance on the palate, with a sweet cassis core with a lovely backdrop of chocolate and rich fruit, with delicious savoury tannins keeping things in place.

An elegant wine full of vibrancy. Should keep well mid-term if you choose to lay down some for later.