Teusner Avatar 2004
Varietal: Rhone Red Blends
Vineyard: Teusner
Region: Barossa Valley, Australia
A dusty, peppery spice confronts the nose, followed by earthy tarry notes of plums, blackberries and raspberries. The medium to full palate displays ripe fleshy fruits and licorice spice. The oak influence is minimal, serving to complex and mature the wine rather than to impart flavour. Well balanced and round, this is a wine that should cellar for 5 to 7 years.
Avatar spends 18 months maturing in neutral old hogsheads. This patience provides Avatar with a slightly more brooding, savoury nose, emphasizing the earthy undertones of the Mataro, rather than the sweet fruit of the Grenache. The tannins have also been given the opportunity to complex, giving a fine, elegant and silky structure to the palate. The wine finishes clean and well balanced.
"Distinctive and well-defined. Blueberry and plum flavors get all kinds of shadings, with hints of game meats, pepper and pomegranate that linger beautifully. Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz. Drink now through 2014."
91 Points
Wine Spectator
October 15, 2006
