2016 John Duval Annexus Mataro, Barossa Valley

The inaugural release, open-fermented and matured in French hogsheads (25% new) for 12 months. It's a fool's errand to nominate a drink-to date for this wine! Mataro is a notable age-worthy variety, and one made from low yielding 100+yo vines by a red wine master maker who held responsibility for making Grange for many years. The colour is beautiful, a deep, vibrant crimson, the bouquet complex and rich, the palate with layer upon layer of mainly black fruits that keep their feet on the throat of any tannins daring to make centre stage.