John Duval Integro Cabernet Shiraz 2018

Sourced from the ancient vines from Eden Valley, with yields which stubbornly refuse to exceed one tonne/acre, the blend is 92% Cabernet and 8% Shiraz. Fermented separately for 8 days on skins in small open stainless steel fermenters with twice daily pumpovers, the Cabernet component was then aged in French oak hogsheads (50% new, 50% third use) for 18 months.

Near black with intensely dark purples. There are floral notes, rose petals, cocoa powder and purple fruits here. Mulberries, a whiff of dried raisins, bay leaves, rolled tobacco notes, spices, cassis, leather and blackberries. As one moves to the palate, the leather, mocha and coffee bean notes emerge more to the fore, and the chocolate, especially dark chocolate, gains in intensity. Serious concentration here, this is glorious stuff. Great length, balance, freshness and complexity supported by firm tannins. This is a wine that has two decades of improving ahead of it, after which, it should plateau for many more – this is a wine which really will benefit from time.