John Duval Integro Cabernet Shiraz 2018
- 98
- $220
- Drink by: 2022-2042
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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.
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.
