2022 Teusner Joshua Grenache Mataro Shiraz, Barossa Valley

I remember falling in love with the Joshua back in 2003, having a sneaky little tasting at the Tanunda Hotel in 2004 then doing vintage with Rolf Binder in 2005, where Kym Teusner was the winemaker, and seeing it all come together. I've been hooked ever since. A blend of grenache, mataro and shiraz unencumbered by artifact with pure, spicy plummy fruits, ginger spice, citrus blossom, savoury, bright and spacious with a blast of sour morello cherry on the finish. It's still hitting the spot.

94 points Special Value Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Our very first wine, and like Mick’s first son, we called it/ him Joshua. Typically a blend of about 2/3rds old vine Grenache, a chunk of Mataro and a splash of Shiraz, we keep our Josh’ away from oak and release it young to showcase the kind of juicy, spicy, flavorsome wines you can do so well in the Barossa by blending heritage varieties from old vines.

For anyone who has ever met my business partner Mick Page and I, it would come as no surprise to learn that the idea for Teusner Wines was conceived at the pub over a few beers. Sitting at the bar, we’d been listening to a couple of old growers have a whine about the low, low prices being paid for their old vine Grenache…to the point they were going to rip out the vines and plant Chardonnay!

Now whilst we’re not adverse to the odd glass of Chardonnay, planting it in the Barossa Valley is akin to drinking light beer…just not on! So it was left to Mick and I to hatch a rescue plan. Scrambling together some cash, the grapes found a new home, the vines stayed in the ground where they belong and Teusner Wines was born.