Winemaker Notes
Cuvée Juveniles was created as a ‘Cote Du Rhone’ inspired bistro wine from the classic Barossa varieties of Grenache, Mataro (Mourvedre) and Shiraz from mostly old, unirrigated vineyards. These varieties are the cornerstone of The Barossa Valley and are intrinsic in the wines that are so easily appreciated around the world and often referred to as GSM blends by sommeliers and consumers alike.
Bold and seductive, this youthful, unoaked blend encapsulates all that is great in a pure, unseasoned wine. A lively, vibrant aroma of blackberry, violet, and spice. A full, rich mid palate with vivacity and energy that this blend always generates. Ripe, savory flavors of dark berry fruit and cassis, spiced cherries, minerals, and succulent blueberry fruit all balanced with fresh acidity and a fine gentle tannin structure.
Blend: 75% Grenache, 18% Mataro, 7% Shiraz
Pairs well with fattier meats such as ribeye. Pork, mushrooms, charcuterie or moussaka.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Some smoky nuances with an array of raspberry, blueberry and blackberry aromas and flavors in a deliciously fleshy style. A blend of grenache, mataro and shiraz.
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Wine Enthusiast
This vintage takes its time delivering the goods. At first it’s reductive, with odd stalky notes and a flat palate. But give this time in decanter or glass and it morphs into a sleek and elegant wine, full of blueberries, florals and pepper. Slightly showy vanillin and mocha oak are there too, and as the wine knits together, a baseline of earthy spices like cumin makes itself known. The palate is equally spiced, with toned muscular tannins and dried herbs etched into the finish. Drink now.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.