John Duval Concilio Grenache 2021

The Concilio range from John Duval, and son Tim, offer amazing value for cracking Barossa reds, drinkable at earlier stages than some of their more elite wines. Grenache is, as has been stated a number of times, the flavour of the month and the Duvals were keen to move from “the sweet, confectioned expressions of Barossa Grenache prevalent in the 1990’s, to wines that display more vibrancy, texture and savouriness”, and to provide a wine that works well with food. This third release actually has 15% Shiraz (any more and it needs to be noted on the label) from an old vineyard in the Northern Barossa. The Grenache comes from a ‘survivor bush vine block’, south of Tanunda. Fermentation for the Grenache was in small open top fermenters for 8 days with 25% whole bunches.

The Shiraz was on skins for 7 days with twice daily pumpovers with a small percentage of whole bunches included. The Grenache spent 8 months maturing in tanks (50%) and seasoned French hogsheads (50%), while the Shiraz spent the 8 months in seasoned French oak. The wine is delightfully approachable at this early stage. Soft, supple and bright with such silky tannins, this is simply too easy to drink, though will reward at any stage over the next four to six years. Notes of cherries, florals and raspberries. Lovely drinking and should score even higher in a few years. If you have not yet joined the Grenache bandwagon, this is your chance.

Ken Gargett

Contributor at Winepilot

Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.

Wine writer and critic