2024 Teusner Avatar Grenache Mataro Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Vibrant ruby red colour. Blueberry, mocha and vanilla aromas. Big and powerful, combining sweet and savoury elements. Ripe blue fruit sits at the core with dried herbs, vanilla, dark chocolate and bresaola notes radiating out. Tannins firmly dry the edges, building tension and driving a very long, savoury finish. Suits big protein and extended decanting. Drink to 2041.

95 points Stuart Knox for The Real Review, January 2026

Kym Teusner was raised on a sheep and cereal farm on the banks of the Murray River. While studying business in Adelaide, he was fascinated by a Barossa Valley Cabernet that led to all-consuming obsession with wine and travels to wine regions around the globe. Coming home, his studies shifted formally to oenology and landed him roles at Torbreck and Rolf Binder, with a dedicated small cellar at the latter becoming the home for his first wines. 2008 saw the first full-time vintage for his label, culminating in the construction of a bespoke winery in Nuriootpa.

Teusner Wines is a negociant producer working with grape growing families across the Barossa. Many of these families have lived in the Barossa since the early days of settlement and possess in-depth, multi-generational knowledge about growing conditions, unique terroir variations and the distinct intricacies of local sites. Kym’s mutually respectful relationship with growers and his gentle winemaking approach are at the core of all Teusner wines.

Avatar is the sibling of Kym’s much-loved Joshua-blend of Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz. As with the latter, the final percentages of each variety for Avatar might change each vintage, but the basics remain: Grenache (about 50%) for spice and bright red fruit, and a significant amount of Mataro (roughly 40%) for savoury earthiness and depth. Shiraz plays a supporting role only in both blends (10%), and adds plump plum and rich black fruit. While Joshua is unoaked, the Avatar matures in well-seasoned old French oak barrels for one year, that time adding complexity and savoury notes with minimal oak derived flavours.

The long, dry 2024 season suited all three varieties well. The fruit was sourced from old vine vineyards across Tanunda, Williamstown, Stone Well, Seppeltsfield and Koonunga. The final blend is 48% Grenache, 40% Mataro and 12% Shiraz. One Grenache parcel included a small portion of whole bunch that makes up roughly 7% of the final blend.

Fragrant red and purple fruit on the nose, with notes of warm citrus, tempered warm spice, black pepper and charcuterie. The harmonious palate follows the aromas. Medium-weighted, it feels gentle and balanced, with soft but abundant tannins.

Quietly confident and with impeccable manners, Avatar is a wine that will behave nicely at dinner parties. Turn the oven on for some slow-food magic: duck tagine with preserved lemon and olives, or slow-braised pork with roast parsnip purée and PX reduction.