Blend: 45% Grenache, 36% Mataro, 17%, Carignan and 2% Counoise
94 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
You may know Torbreck for the concentrated old-vine reds David Powell made until his departure in 2013. Juveniles, now made by Ian Hongell, is a different take on the old, dry-farmed vines of Barossa, a blend of grenache and mataro, with some counoise and cinsault, aged in old oak barrels. In 2022, a wet winter and hot summer coasted into more moderate weather for ripening, sustaining the freshness in this wine’s fruit, as if the red fruit of the desert. It bristles with strawberry-red and black currant flavors, their sweet generosity contrasting the tarry savor of the tannins. The wine is bold, with a gracious spice that one taster described as marzipan curry. The distinctive complexity places Australia in Southeast Asia.
94 Points Australian Wine Companion
Cuvée Juveniles is an iconic name in contemporary Barossan wine. A young drinking wine by design, a blend of 45% grenache, 36% mataro, 17%, carignan and 2% counoise, light on the oak, big on drinkability. High-toned with purple floral and jasmine top notes, juicy red fruits and layered spice, gingerbread, biltong and exotic spice from the mataro, fine, silty tannins and just an effortless, slurpy, easy-drinking vibe.
Winemakers Notes
A perennial favorite, Grenache from old vines shows its ability to exhibit lifted florals, juicy red fruit characters such as wild red cherry, pomegranate and red currant along with wild Provençal herbs in a bouquet-garni. The addition of Rhone varietals Counoise and Carignan add a savoury and spicy complexity complementing Mataro aromas of beef jerky and Chinese five spice. The palate exhibits a medium-bodied texture with long acidity balancing a fruit freshness around a slightly firmer tannin frame than previous vintages.
Serve with an array of cuisines including spicy Asian or Mexican dishes.
