John Duval Wines Entity Shiraz 2021

John Duval began working with old vine Barossa Shiraz when he commenced his winemaking career at Penfolds in the early 1970’s. Through the 1990’s he played a leading role in trialling the maturation of old vine Barossa Shiraz in new French oak hogsheads, contrary to the established winery convention of blending Shiraz from multiple regions and maturation in American oak. The early trials led to the first release of the Penfold’s RWT Barossa Shiraz from the 1997 vintage – a wine that marked a step-change moment in the style evolution of Barossa Shiraz. John’s approach to making Barossa Shiraz continues unchanged, and the maturation of selected parcels of old vine fruit in French oak is fundamental to producing Entity - an elegant Shiraz that is true to the Barossa.

Vintage: 2021

Grape Variety: Shiraz

Region: Barossa 

Reviews:

96 points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review "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."

95 points - Dave Brookes, Wine Companion "Shiraz sourced from old vineyards in the Barossa (Krondorf, Tanunda, Marananga, Ebenezer and Moppa) and the Eden Valley. Vibrant and pure at heart with deep black plum, black cherry and boysenberry fruits, plentiful exotic spice, violets, licorice and wafts of light cedar and vanillin oak. Impressive fruit depth, sandy tannin support and long, plush finish of spicy black fruits and earth."

95 points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal Barossa Guide "Deep crimson. Dark cherry, elderberry, roasted chestnut aromas. Richly concentrated black cherry, elderberry fruits, fine graphite, sinewy tannins and roasted chestnut/walnut notes. Finishes mineral and long. Still quite elemental but well-balanced with beautiful fruit definition."

92 points - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate, 21 June 2024 "The 2021 Entity Shiraz comprises 13 different vineyard components, 75% Barossa Valley and 25% Eden Valley. The first vintage of this wine was 2004, and it was "the second wine I made, after the Plexus in 2003," says winemaker John Duval. On the nose, this is chocolaty and supple; the palate follows suit beautifully. It's a sapid, intense, polished wine, with layers of purple fruits and exotic spice. Lovely wine. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."