John Duval 'Eligo' Shiraz

“Inky black in colour, the nose is intense but rather gorgeous. Spices, blueberries, chocolate, leather, some oak but it is integrating superbly, fresh herbs and cocoa powder. Serious concentration here with a supple, seamless palate. Vibrantly fresh, balanced, lovely length with a soft, gentle finish. The silkiest of tannins. The palate also sees notes of beef stock and soy. Immaculate balance here, glorious flavours. I think that this is the best wine I have seen under the Duval label.” Ken Gargett

• Winery: John Duval Wines
  
• Varietal: Shiraz 
  
• Region: Barossa, South Australia 
  
• Vintage: 2018
  
• Alcohol: 14.5% 
  
• Volume: 750ml 
  
• Closure: Cork
• Other: Vegan-friendly
• Food match: Lamb roast, beef, game meat, pork & pepperoni; tuna & salmon; pizza; BBQ & heavy red sauces; bleu-veined cheeses

John Duval is one of the world's best known winemakers, coming from a family that boasts four generations of South Australian vignerons. He has been saluted many times on the world stage, notably International Winemaker of the Year in 1989 and twice Red Winemaker of the Year in 1991 and 2000. After 28 years with Penfolds, including 16 years as Chief Winemaker, John has created these stunning wines under the John Duval label, which has now welcomed second generation Tim on board. Utilising old vine Barossa fruit, the wines express the terroir of the Barossa and the hand-crafted attention of John Duval.

"For over 100 years our family supplied grapes to South Australia’s best winemakers. Knowledge of the vineyard handed down through five generations, allied with a 30 year career at the pinnacle of Australian winemaking, are the foundations of John Duval Wines. Each wine made from fruit sourced exclusively from exceptional old Barossa vineyards, our distinctive style defined by elegance and structure.

THE FAMILY FARM

Established in the second half of the 19th century at Morphett Vale to the south of Adelaide, five generations of the Duval family managed their vineyards and operated a world famous sheep stud. The vineyards supplied Shiraz grapes and vine cuttings to Penfolds, setting in place the directional markers of John Duval’s future - to become the first family member to transition from growing grapes to making wine.

THE PENFOLDS YEARS

John Duval graduated from Adelaide University’s Roseworthy College in 1973, and secured a coveted winemaking role with Penfolds for the 1974 vintage. Over the next 12 years John was mentored by Grange creator Max Schubert and Penfolds Chief Winemaker Don Ditter, before himself assuming the position of Chief Winemaker in 1986. In doing so, John became only the third Chief Winemaker responsible for producing Australia’s greatest red wine – Penfolds Grange.

In addition to being charged with custodianship of Grange and legendary wines such as Bin 707, Bin 389 and St Henri, John initiated a number of exciting new wines which are now standard features of the Penfolds collection, including Bin 138 (Shiraz Grenache Mourvédre) and Bin 407 (Cabernet Sauvignon). Of particular note was Penfolds ‘RWT’ Shiraz, made entirely from old vine Barossa Shiraz using French oak, and an early indication of John’s winemaking direction post Penfolds.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

After 29 years at Penfolds John sensed the need to embark on a personal wine project. A new challenge that would allow him to be involved first hand from vineyard to glass, and provide an opportunity to build something for his family. John Duval Wines began in 2003 with a single wine, the inaugural vintage of Plexus Shiraz Grenache Mourvédre. A second wine was added in 2004 - Entity, made entirely from Barossa Shiraz, followed in 2005 by a reserve Shiraz – Eligo. The first white Plexus, a blend of Marsanne Roussanne and Viognier, was released from the 2010 vintage, with Annexus Grenache (2013) and Annexus Mataro (2016) created to showcase exceptional small parcels of heritage varietals that define Barossa as one of the world’s great wine regions. 

Rather than seeking to simply emulate Penfolds, the aim of John Duval Wines is to perpetuate the story of a South Australian wine family through a collection of structured and elegant wines made from fruit grown in exceptional old Barossa vineyards.

THE FUTURE

Ahead of the 2016 vintage, John Duval Wines welcomed a second generation as eldest son Tim joined the family wine business working alongside his father. Having worked a number of vintages, and then in wine retail whilst he studied, Tim returns to wine following 7 years practicing as a lawyer in Adelaide."

John Duval Wines

• 96/100 Points - Erin Larkin Robert Parker Wine Advocate (2019 vintage)
  
• 95/100 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2019 vintage)
  
• 95/100 Points - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion (2019 vintage)
  
• 99/100 Points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot (2018 vintage)
• 97/100 Points - James Halliday, Weekend Australian Magazine (2018 vintage)
• 97/100 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2018 vintage)
  
• 96/100 Points - Nick Stock (2018 vintage)
  
• 95/100 Points - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (2016 vintage)
  
• 95/100 Points - Wine Enthusiast (2016 vintage)
  
• 95/100 Points - The Wine Front (2016 vintage)
  
• 93/100 Points - Wine Advocate (2016 vintage)
  
• 93/100 Points - Cellar Tracker (2016 vintage)