We're absolutely thrilled to have both John and Tim Duval in the shop this weekend for our Saturday tasting - this is not one to miss for wine fans of any allegiance!
The 2023 vintage holds special significance for John Duval. Not only does he raise the bat to celebrate half a century of Barossa vintages, but the family also celebrates the 20th anniversary of John Duval Wines.
After a storied 30 years career at Penfolds, including 16 as chief winemaker and the custodian of Grange, John’s next chapter was always going to be eagerly anticipated. Rather than emulating Penfolds, John has focused on creating elegant expressions from some of the Barossa’s most revered vineyards. Now working side-by-side with son Tim, the family business produces a focused range of modern Barossa classics.
So please come join John and Tim anytime between 12 and 2pm this Saturday 24th June to taste their latest lineup, focusing on the superb 2021 Barossa vintage, with a few special releases sprinkled in including the 2019 Eligo, and the 2018 Integro Cabernet Shiraz - a red only produced in very specific years ('19, '20 and '21 were not produced), and that we may not see on shelves again for a while!
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Tasting Lineup - Saturday 24th June
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2018 Integro Cabernet Shiraz - $220 on offer ; $245 RRP
// Cabernet Sauvignon (92%) from the Stonegarden Vineyard in Eden Valley, and an exceptional parcel of Barossa Shiraz (8%)
"We have long had in mind the idea to produce a Cabernet Shiraz blend as our contribution to the proud and distinctly Australian tradition of blending these two varieties. An age worthy wine that would reward extended cellaring, allowing its journey of evolution to be enjoyed over many years. A wine from special Barossa vineyards, and produced only when the right vintage conditions prevailed. After a fortunate debut from the 2017 vintage we are proud to make available the second release of Integro – meaning to make whole – from the lauded 2018 vintage." - Winemaker Notes
“Deep crimson. Complex blackcurrant, blackberry, praline, roasted chestnut mocha, marzipan notes. Richly flavoured, round and smooth with beautiful pure blackcurrant, blackberry mocha espresso flavours, fine loose-knit grainy tannins and underlying roasted chestnut, toffee notes. Finishes chocolatey and long with a long life ahead." - 98 Points, Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
Click to pre-order the Integro Cabernet Shiraz via email here!
2022 Plexus White Blend - $28 on offer ; $32 RRP
// Roussanne 57%, Marsanne 31%, and Viognier 12%
"Our aim with our Plexus White is to promote a vibrant expression of fruit aromas from the interaction of the three varieties; and on the palate, to build structure and texture, rather than just acid crispness. On the nose, there's ripe nectarine, peach and pear with hints of ginger spice and quince blossom. On the palate, pristine layers of peach, nectarine and pear with hints of mandarin and subtle baking spice." - Winemaker Notes
"Slippery and supple white of great interest and yet good vibrancy and freshness in tow. Scents of quince, ginger, lime pickle, sage leaf and white pepper. The palate in the lemon and ginger zone accompanied by nashi pear and something pleasing but grassy. The finish takes that glide away and corkscrews slowly into chalky-mineral chew. Sophisticated and highly drinkable stuff, and I bet it cellars very well too.” - 93+ Points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
2021 Plexus Grenache Shiraz Mataro - $37 on offer ; $42 RRP
// Shiraz 48%, Grenache 28% and Mourvèdre 24%
"Our affinity for working with old vine Barossa Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvédre began with John’s time at Penfolds, and continues with this wine - the first to be released by John Duval Wines’ from our inaugural vintage in 2003. On the nose, lifted aromatics with vibrant black fruits with underlying notes of cinnamon, woodsy spice and a hint of smokey oak. On the plate, there's generous layers of black and red fruits, balanced with abundant savoury spice and fine, velvety tannins, bright acidity ensuring it finishes long and pure." - Winemaker Notes
“Deep crimson. Lovely dark plum. Blackberry, mocha aromas with lifted liquorice notes. A well-balanced wine with deep set blackberry, dark plum, dark chocolate fruits, fine cedary, gravelly tannins and integrated walnutty, sandalwood notes. Chocolaty finish. Drink now to 2032." - 96 Points, Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
2021 Entity Shiraz - $48 on offer ; $55 RRP
"Sourced from old Shiraz vineyards in the Krondorf, Tanunda, Marananga, Ebenezer, Moppa, and Eden Valley regions comprising 75% Barossa Valley, 25% Eden Valley fruit. On the nose, attractive notes of violets, dark berries and plum supported by hints of licorice and a floral lift. On the palate, bright layers of focused red and blue fruits with hints of dark chocolate and peppery spice, finishing long with fine sheets of silky tannins." - Winemaker Notes
“Intense purple-red colour and a spicy/meaty and dried-herb bouquet, very fragrant for such a big, powerful shiraz, with dried thyme, oregano and mace notes. The palate is powerful, concentrated and the intensity driving and long. There is delicious fruit sweetness and a warming heart to this lovely wine. Great to drink now and for at least 20 years more.” - 96 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
2021 Annexus Eden Valley Shiraz - $57 on offer ; $65 RRP
"Deep crimson. Musky plum, blackberry pastille aromas and flavours with roasted walnut, aniseed notes. Medium-powered and pure fruited on the palate with lacy fine tannins and attractive maturation complexity. Finishes chalky firm with lovely dark berry pastille fruits. Beautiful wine. Now – 2032.” - 96 Points, Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
“The John Duval wines really are modern classics. This is the first release of Annexus shiraz. This comes from a single vineyard of Eden Valley shiraz that often finds its way into blending for the general shiraz wines from John Duval. It sees 25% new French oak. It’s got tension and precision written all over it. Heavily perfumed in forest berries, dark chocolate, alpine herbs and new leather/mahogany Chesterfield chair kinda thing. It’s succulent in texture, fine and firm in the palate and stretches luxuriously long. All of that perfume translates to flavours, a bit of extra cedar oak seasoning and a touch of sweet-earthiness too. It’s beautifully balance and all up classy.” - 95 Points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
2019 Eligo Shiraz - $109 on offer ; $125 RRP
"Released only from the best Barossa vintages, a meticulous selection of the most exceptional Shiraz we can produce. The latest release displays the palate texture, length and restrained power that has defined this wine since the inaugural 2005 vintage release. Lifted black fruit, plum and blackberry with hints of anise and clove and earth on the nose. On the palate, it's packed with a multitude of vibrant, powerful fruit layers and a commanding depth of flavour. It also displays hints of spice and licorice and finishes with integrated, fine grippy tannins" - Winemaker Notes
“The 2019 vintage was the first in two consecutive drought years in the Barossa, and the wines are unsurprisingly concentrated and brooding. In this 2019 Eligo Shiraz, we see lashings of exotic spice, aniseed, licorice and resinous char contained within a framework of fine, silty tannins. This is a big wine, make no mistake, but eminently balanced.” - 96 Points, Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
If you wish to purchase any of these wines, please use the links above. Alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions // Prices valid until Thursday the 29th of June