John Duval Concilio Shiraz 2021
- 95
- $30
- Drink by: 2022-2035
Share
The first release of this wine, which is a worthy companion to the Grenache. The fruit comes from vineyards in the famed Barossa sub-regions of Marananga and Ebenezer. It spent 8 days on skins with twice daily pump overs, before spending a year in seasoned French hogsheads to mature. I’ve loved all three of the Concilio Grenache releases but to be honest, this tops the lot. A magical Barossa Shiraz with elegance and focus, generous now but with time ahead, and amazing value. What is not to like? Bright purple in colour, we have dry herbs, chocolate, spices, mocha, coffee grinds, a supple texture and a nice line of acidity running the length. Fresh, concentrated and saturated in flavour, this will drink beautifully for a decade.
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.
