96 Points – James Halliday — Old-Vine Barossa GSM from One of the Valley's Most Celebrated Boutique Producers

Teusner Avatar Barossa Valley Grenache Mataro Shiraz 2019 is a vivid, complex and beautifully crafted Barossa GSM from one of the valley's most celebrated boutique producers — fragrant, layered and built with the extraordinary old-vine Grenache character, fine Mataro structure and Shiraz depth that has made Avatar one of the most critically acclaimed and sought-after GSM blends in Australia.

With 96 points from James Halliday, the 2019 Avatar stands at the pinnacle of Teusner's GSM range — sourced from some of the oldest Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz vines in the Barossa Valley and crafted by Kym Teusner with the same minimal-intervention philosophy and obsessive attention to old-vine fruit quality that defines everything Teusner produces.

My Wine Man on Teusner

This is for someone who wants a 96-point old-vine Barossa GSM from one of the valley's most celebrated boutique producers — a wine that shows a completely different and equally compelling side of the Barossa from Shiraz.

Avatar is one of the most distinctive and compelling wines in the store — where Barossa Shiraz delivers power and concentration, Avatar delivers fragrance, complexity and the extraordinary silky generosity that only truly old-vine Grenache can produce. At HK$199, this is exceptional value for a 96-point old-vine Barossa GSM of this quality and complexity.

Tasting Notes

Fragrant red cherry, raspberry, pomegranate and spice sit at the core of the Grenache, with the earthy, savoury complexity of old-vine Mataro adding structure and the dark fruit depth of Shiraz providing weight and length. The palate is medium to full-bodied with silky, fine tannins and a long, fragrant finish of extraordinary elegance and complexity. Fragrant, layered and completely compelling.

Style & Drinking Window

Medium to full-bodied with red cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, spice, earth and dark fruit notes. Silky fine tannins and fresh acidity provide fragrance, elegance and a long, complex finish. Drinking beautifully now — peak drinking through to 2028. Decant for 30 minutes.

Food Pairing

A 96-point old-vine Barossa GSM of this fragrance and depth deserves a cut to match. We love it with Australian Grass-Fed Lamb Midloin Chop from My Meat Man — grilled simply with salt, pepper and a generous splash of olive oil, the savoury char and lamb sweetness mirror the wine's spice and old-vine Grenache fragrance while the Barossa weight stands up to the chop's richness. A South Australian wine and a South Australian cut.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

If you want a 96-point old-vine Barossa GSM from one of the valley's most celebrated boutique producers at an accessible price, this is exceptional value. It delivers 96 James Halliday points, old-vine Grenache fragrance and silky generosity, and genuine rarity — old-vine Barossa Grenache of this quality and age is increasingly rare and irreplaceable.

Winemaker Insight

Hear directly from Kym Teusner on the philosophy behind Avatar and what makes old-vine Barossa Grenache so extraordinary.

Explore more Teusner and Barossa reds

• 2022 Torbreck The Steading Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre → peer Barossa GSM / vibrant and approachable
• 2013 Grant Burge The Holy Trinity Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre → peer aged Barossa GSM / over a decade of bottle age
• 2022 John Duval Plexus Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre → benchmark Barossa GSM from the former Penfolds chief winemaker