Teusner The Dog Strangler Mataro 2012, Barossa Valley
By Fergal Gleeson

 Oh God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
the next time you see me comin’ you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61”

So goes the startling first verse of Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan, mashing up the Old Testament with jive talk in a pop song. Released in the mid ‘60’s when Dylan was young and had the world listening to him.

Here was a fearless songwriter in all his pomp exploring his creativity. Intelligent and self-confident he was rewriting the rules with every album. Bob was in the groove like Maradona in ‘86, like Lomu in ’95, like Turnbull in his first week in office…

The Australian wine making equivalent right now is Kym Teusner, one of the young Turks of the Barossa. I had a bottle of The Dog Strangler Mataro recently. Black purple in colour, it smells and tastes of dark chocolate and spice.

The Spanish are the leaders in Monastrell/Mataro but it is seldom made in Australia as a single varietal, where it is usually the minor party in a Grenache and Shiraz blend. Mataro is a bit edgier than Shiraz carrying more spice, savoury characteristics and tannin.

There is a “house style” with all of Kym Teusner’s wines which are powerful but balanced. Teusner makes wines similar in style to good Penfolds: fruit driven but with interest.

This comes from Barossa’s celebrated 2012 vintage which produced generous and easy drinking wines. Teusner The Independent Shiraz Mataro and The Gentleman Cabernet Sauvignon are also excellent. I rated both as 4/5 wines.

So pick up a bottle of The Dog Strangler or any of his reds. Carly Rae Jepsen would probably sing-

I really really really really really really really really really really really like you

about this wine, which shows a lack of vocabulary but you’d get her point. Dylan would just say Teusner is ‘freewheelin’ right now. One to watch!

Rating: 4/5. Price: c$27. For more Wine Reviews read and follow www.greatwineblog.wordpress.com  Drink and be merry!