A long time favourite of ours, Torbreck's 'Cuvee Juveniles' consistently delivers an outstanding example of the approachable, unoaked blend of Barossa's hero varietals, namely Grenache and Mataro.
The 2022 Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles is made up of 45% Grenache, 36% Mataro, 17% Carignan, 2% Counoise, from an array of vineyards ranging up to 150 years old. Another delicious example; bold and seductive, this is packed with flavour and energy that always makes it such a popular red wine.
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.
"94 Points. 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. 15% alc. Drink: 2023 - 2030. Screwcap"- Dave Brookes, winecompanion.com.au.
"The 2022 vintage has yet to hit the market, but it holds hands with its delicious 2021 predecessor while further emphasising the Counoise and Carignan in its recipe. With increased perfume, finer detail, decreased ripeness, and more bounce, this is as ‘smashable’ as baby-fine-wine gets and marks 2022 as the definitive, modern Juves for cool, modern palates. 18/20 (Drink 2023 – 2028)"- Matthew Jukes, matthewjukes.com.
