John Duval Eligo Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017  £67.56

JOHN DUVAL ELIGO BAROSSA VALLEY SHIRAZ 

One of the world’s great winemakers, John Duval was given the ‘Grange’ torch by Max Schubert, the man who created Australia’s most famous wine. John passed it on to his successor when he left Penfolds in 2003 to start his own label. He sources fruit from long-time friends in the Barossa, all of whom own vineyards with vines aged from 50 to 100 years old. The wines are made with minimal intervention and showcase the best of the Barossa.

Grapes are sourced from old vineyards from the Light Pass, Marananga and Krondorf regions in the north and east of the Barossa Valley. The grapes are selected from small sections of the two best Shiraz vineyards.

In 2017, excellent preceding winter and spring rains created good sub soil moisture levels which led to ample canopy coverage and a healthy fruit set. Summer was mild, which in combination with healthy yields resulted in the vintage starting four weeks later than in 2016. The red wines from 2017 show great flavour concentration, impeccable balance and an extra dimension of elegance.

Fermentation with submerging of the cap took place in small stainless steel fermenters. Some batches spent up to two weeks on the skins. The wine was then 100% barrel matured for 20 months in 55% new fine grain French oak, with the remainder in two, three and four-year-old French oak 300 litre hogsheads.

This wine is deep purple in colour with aromas of blackberry and blueberry, complemented by hints of liquorice, nutmeg and spice on the nose. Concentrated layers of berry flavours, earthy savouriness and smoked meat come through on the palate. The finish is long and lingering.

97 Points - James Halliday - The Wine Companion

John Duval is a master blender. This is all about the best of the vintage, fruit from various sites across the and Eden Barossa Valleys, to morph into the mighty Eligo. A powerhouse of flavour yet never loses focus. Dark plums infused with star anise, cinnamon, Dutch licorice and soy sauce. Full-bodied with velvety rich tannins. It gets the most oak - French hogsheads 54% new, aged 18 months, and needs time to settle in. It will.

Jane Faulkner

95 Points - Huon Hooke - The Real Review

Deep, dark red/purple colour, with a rich, ripe, dark plum aroma. The palate is intense and rich, fleshy and strongly structure, but approachable now. Discreet spices, black licorice hints and smoky charred oak. It has the muscle to age superbly.