2022 John Duval Entity Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Shiraz sourced from vineyards in Krondorf, Tanunda, Marananga, Moppa and Eden Valley (BV 85%, EV 15%), matured in French oak, 28% new, for 15 months. A vibrantly coloured multi-subregional blend that shows plum, black cherry and blackberry fruits cut with hints of baking spice, cedar, vanillin, mace, licorice and earth. A thickly shouldered wine, plush with ripe fruit and creamy oaken nuance finishing long and elemental with fine, chalky tannins and a sense of mineral definition.

95 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

John Duval Entity Shiraz is a masterfully crafted expression of Barossa Valley Shiraz, shaped by one of Australia’s most celebrated winemakers. John Duval spent nearly three decades as chief winemaker at Penfolds, including overseeing the iconic Grange, before establishing his eponymous label in 2003. With Entity, he set out to capture the depth and richness of Barossa Shiraz while dialling in finesse and structure, resulting in a wine that balances generosity with precision.

Sourced from low-yielding old vines across the Barossa and Eden Valleys, Entity benefits from the diversity of fruit from varied elevations and soil types. Fermentation takes place in small open fermenters with gentle extraction, and the wine is matured for around 15 months in fine-grained French oak, roughly one-third new. The oak is carefully selected to frame rather than dominate the fruit.

On the nose, it opens with blackberry, plum, dark cherry and hints of blueberry, layered with notes of dark chocolate, licorice, graphite and subtle spice. The palate is full bodied but controlled, with dense fruit, firm yet polished tannins, and a long finish that carries through with smoky earth, black pepper and a savoury twist. There’s power here, but also grace.

Food pairing: perfect with chargrilled ribeye, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, venison, or mushroom and truffle pie. Also works beautifully with aged hard cheeses or braised short ribs.

Cellar potential: superb drinking now with decanting, but built to age gracefully for 10 to 15 years, developing layers of spice, tobacco and earthy complexity.