96 Points - Dave Brookes
When it comes to Australian winemakers, few are as esteemed as John Duval. Appointed Chief Winemaker at Penfolds in 1986, Duval was the custodian of Penfolds Grange for almost 30 years. Establishing his eponymous label in 2003, Duval continues to showcase old vine Barossa Valley Shiraz along with other select Rhone varietals.
The 2023 John Duval Entity Shiraz is another high quality Shiraz that follows in the steps of the hugely popular recent vintages of this wine. Made with the intention of delivering a Shiraz true to the Barossa, this again includes some Eden Valley Shiraz to help maintain the elegance and style of Entity.
Approachable in its youth, the 2023 John Duval Entity Shiraz offers attractive notes of dark berries and plum supported by hints of licorice and a floral lift. Dark and brooding, tightly wound layers of rich black and blue fruits with hints of dark chocolate and spice, finishing long with savoury tannins.
"96 Points. A wonderfully pure-smelling shiraz from John Duval from grapes sourced across a number of Barossan subregions - Krondorf, Marananga, Ebenezer, Moppa and Eden Valley. There is a real plushness to the fruit here; all juicy doris plum, blueberry and boysenberry with hints of licorice, violets, roasting meats, citrus blossom and earth. The silty tannins drift way back in the fruit this year and the finish is long and graceful, with the real spotlight on that fruit purity. 14.2% alc. $55. Drink: 2025 - 2040. Screwcap."- Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion.
"94 Points. There’s so much bold flavour here and so much inherent balance. This Barossa Valley shiraz is spot on. It’s a dark and stormy wine but its buildings of tannin, acidity and ultimate length are all upstanding. Blueberries, blackberries, scorched plums, coffee, dried fruits, rust and saltbush; all contribute here, as do sweet, amity pan juice characters. Beautiful wine, no doubting it. Tasted: Feb26 14.5% alc. $55 Screwcap Drink: 2026 - 2034+"- Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front.
