John Duval Eligo Shiraz 2018

Around 70% Eden Valley fruit and 30% Barossa, sourced from the sub-regions of Ebenezer and Moppa, the various parcels of grapes received discrete fermentation in small stainless steel fermenters, submerged caps, with twice daily pumpovers. A portion of the fruit was left on skins for two weeks for colour and structure. The wine then spent 18 months in fine grained French oak hogsheads (55% new, the remainder older).

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 and the silkiest of tannins. The palate also sees notes of beef stock and soy. Immaculate balance here, glorious flavours. There is absolutely no reason this won’t improve for 15 to 20 years, but it is already drinking magnificently. I think that this is the best wine I have seen under the Duval label.