Teusner The Dog Strangler Barossa Valley Mataro 2015

Kym Teusner has built a reputation for terrific big reds from “old, low- yielding Barossa vines” (Halliday). His winery boasts Five Red Stars, with Halliday noting that “each year, the consistency and quality of the wines increases; there must be an end point, but it’s not easy to guess when, or even if, it will be reached”. Wondering about the unusual name? The French nickname for Mataro is 'Estrangle Chien' due to the grape's very tough skin and hefty tannins. As Halliday points out, however, this one is far distant from the big, heavy Mataros of the old days. It's amazingly lithe and vibrant – and one of the real standouts in our tastings.

“Very good colour; vibrant and fresh, far distant from the mataros of bygone decades, the limited skin contact and controlled alcohol two of the keys. A fragrant bouquet with a mix of spicy and savoury scents leads into a medium-bodied palate with strikingly juicy mouthfeel and a fresh aftertaste ... 96 points” (Halliday).