The iconic John Duval was Penfolds’ Chief Winemaker 1986 – 2002 responsible for making the 1990 Grange capturing the Wine Spectator, ‘Wine of the Year’ award. Penfolds’ premium red wines—Bin 407, Bin 138 and RWT—were developed on his watch as was the ‘White Grange’ project that eventually developed the über-premium Yattarna Chardonnay and led to the Reserve Bin A Chardonnay. In 1989 John was named, ‘International Winemaker of the Year’ and later in 1991 and 2000 named, ‘International Red Winemaker of the Year’. (information courtesy Penfolds’ website)
His John Duval Wines 2013 ‘Eligo’ was named—ironically alongside the 2012 Grange—as one of the top Australia wine releases of 2016 by Robert M. Parker Jr’s Australian expert and Master of Wine, Lisa Perotti-Brown. In spite of these and other accolades, John Duval—confident and highly competent—remains approachable and down to earth. His personal experience and impeccable integrity with growers throughout Barossa give him access to the absolute top plots of old-vine fruit for his John Duval Wines. Notice the very old gnarled vines in photo below.
Tasting John Duval Wines – March 4, 2020
• Vic was indeed fortunate to taste the following wine with John recently at his ‘Vino Lokal’ location on Murray Street in Tanunda, South Australia in the spiritual heart of Barossa Valley. Many will become available online via the LCBO Classics Catalogue on the following dates, another available to be shipped to your home, office or restaurant via Consignment and others may be offered through upcoming Vintages Releases.
Upstream in winecurrent
Classics Catalogue Release: April 2, 2020
• The following 2017 John Duval Wines ‘Entity’ Shiraz was sourced from 100% old-vine shiraz found in the Krondorf, Eden Valley, Light Pass, Moppa and Ebenezer areas then barrel matured for 15 months, with 32% new, fine-grain 300 L French oak hogsheads and the balance in two-, three- and four-year-old French oak 300L hogsheads.
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John Duval Wines ‘Entity’ Shiraz 2017
Barossa, South Australia $59.95 (73056) 14.0% alcohol
Lifted aromas of red cherry/berry fruit intertwined with mixed spice and floral notes abound on the nose of this fabulous, value-laden shiraz. It wraps around the palate with a medium-bodied, generously textured swath of flavour showcasing crème de cassis, juicy blueberry and wisps of black licorice persisting through the lingering, luscious, balanced and beautiful, finish and aftertaste. Drinking well now and with careful cellaring, good to 2027. (Vic Harradine)
Classics Catalogue Release: September 3, 2020
• The following 2015 John Duval Wines ‘Plexus – Red Blend’ was sourced from old shiraz vines in the in Ebenezer and Krondorf regions, grenache from the Tanunda, Eden valley and Ebenezer regions and mourvèdre from the Light Pass and Ebenezer regions. Fermentation was accomplished with submerged cap in small open-top stainless steel fermenters before 100% barrel maturation for 15 months in 300L French oak fine-grained hogsheads with only 10% new and 90% in well-seasoned, three to six-year-old hogsheads allowing wine to express its lively red and black fruit, crisp tang and fine-grained tannin.
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John Duval Wines ‘Plexus – Red Blend’ 2015
Barossa Valley, South Australia $54.95 (73049) 14.5% alcohol
This delectable red blend—52% shiraz/32%/grenache/16% mourvèdre—surges over the palate with flavour galore preceded by aromas of floral notes, savoury herbs and red and black berry. Palate flavours of black bramble berry, red currant and pie cherry are underpinned by ripe fine-grained tannin and framed by lip-smacking tang with all persisting through the balanced and beautiful exceptionally lengthy finish and aftertaste. It’s medium bodied with good mouthfeel and good to go now with grilled beef tenderloin or, after careful cellaring, enjoyed after another seven or eight years. (Vic Harradine)
Classics Catalogue Release: October 1, 2020
• The following 2016 John Duval Wines ‘Eligo’ Shiraz is inextricably entwined with its iconic winemaker. This is the best wine that John Duval could fashion after sourcing and then further selecting the best shiraz that Barossa Valley and Eden Valley had to offer this vintage. Meticulous vine and barrel selection and masterful wine blending coalesced with the highly talented John Duval in this, his flagship red wine. It’s 100% shiraz with approximately 65% sourced from Barossa Valley floor and 35% from cooler Eden Valley. It was fermented with submerged cap in small stainless steel fermenters with some batches remaining up to two weeks on their skins. It was then matured in 100% French oak 300L hogsheads for 20 months—50% new and 50% in two and three-year-old hogsheads. A doff of the cap to winemaker extraordinaire, John Duval.
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John Duval Wines ‘Eligo’ Shiraz 2016
Barossa, South Australia $125.00 (399642) 14.5% alcohol
Dark, almost opaque in the glass, aromas of black Bing cherry, juicy black currant and grilled savoury herbs proliferate on the nose. It cuts a wide swath of balanced, medium-full bodied, generously textured palate flavours—black raspberry, blueberry and wisps of vanilla, charcuterie and earthy notes soaked in delightful tangy acidity and underpinned by still-evolving ripe tannin. This is both graceful and powerful at the same time, it’s drinking beautifully now and will provide additional delightful aromas and flavours with controlled cellaring now to +2025. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD
• The following 2018 John Duval Wines ‘Plexus – White Blend’ is a northern Rhône-inspired blend—48% marsanne from Marananga region/43% roussanne from Kalimna region/9% viognier from Eden Valley.
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John Duval Wines ‘Plexus – White Blend’ 2018
Barossa, South Australia $40.00 12.5% alcohol
This leaps from the glass with alluring, complex aromas of ginger root, mandarin peel, nectarine and wisps of honeysuckle. It showcases deft balance, excellent value, generous mouthfeel, purity of fruit and plenty of pizzazz. It’s crisp and refreshing from twist top to last drop providing segue to a fruit bowl of flavours with honey-drizzled nectarine and quince jelly mingling on the mid-palate with piquant spice, lemon curd and blood orange. These compatible flavours persist through the mouth-watering finish. Good now and for the next 5 years, pour with pan-seared freshwater fish or mussels steamed in white wine, leeks and garlic. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD
• The following 2017 John Duval Wines ‘Plexus – Red Blend’ is a blend of two wine regions—87% Barossa Valley with the balance from Eden Valley—and three grape varieties—51% Shiraz sourced from old vineyards in sub-regions of Krondorf and Ebenezer, and Eden Valley region/32% grenache from Tanunda and Ebenezer sub-regions/17% Mourvèdre from the Light Pass sub-region. 2017 was an excellent vintage in these parts with exceptionally long hang time for the fruit. Picking began in Light Pass on March 10 and ended in Eden Valley on April 30 allowing fruit to attain optimum Baume level (sugar level in unfermented grape)—as well as organaleptical ripeness—taste, smell, sight and touch. The 2017 has all its stars aligned with a near-perfect previous winter and 2017 growing season from which the stunning fruit used in this wine was allowed to find much of its own way to bottle with very little human intervention.
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John Duval Wines ‘Plexus – Red Blend’ 2017
Barossa, South Australia $54.95 (73049) 14.5% alcohol
This showcases persistent purity of fruit, deft balance, elegance, complexity, value for money and fabulous flavour. Aromas of violets, sprigs of savoury herbs and spice-infused red cherry/berry fruit abound. It bathes the palate with an elegant, balanced and delectable flow of crunchy red currant meeting ripe, sweet-tinged mulberry and blueberry decorated with savory notes, soft, ripe tannin and enhanced by mouth-watering tang. Medium-plus bodied with creamy smooth mouthfeel, you can enjoy now with a grilled rack of lamb or tuck away for seven or eight years to experience and enjoy all it has to offer. (Vic Harradine)
New in Consignment
To order the following 2017 John Duval Wines ‘Annexus’ Grenache by the case for delivery to your home, office or restaurant, simply order from Breakthru Beverage Group. For assistance with locating or ordering their wines available by the bottle or by the case, you can contact their office at any time at 647-790-0550 option #2 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• The following 2017 John Duval Wines ‘Annexus’ Grenache was 90% sourced from ‘ancestor’ vines—over 150 years old—in the Eden Valley with the balance harvested from gnarled, old bush vines on the floor of the northern Barossa Valley. Fruit, including a small number of whole bunches, was fermented in small open-top fermenters then 100% barrel matured in older 300L hogshead French oak barrels. The making and raison d’être of this wine are easily assessed—it’s sourced from some of the best and oldest grenache vines in Barossa… period. Only 250 cases were made. Whomever hesitates is lost.
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John Duval Wines ‘Annexus’ Grenache 2017
Barossa, South Australia $84.95 13.5% alcohol
This juicy delectable gem is sourced from some of the best, oldest grenache vines in the Barossa that were made into wine by one of Australia’s iconic winemakers, John Duval. Aromas of roses, fennel and spice waft easily from this medium-weight, satin-smooth grenache. It captures the palate with a lively, juicy stream of palate flavours with bramble berry, red cherry and crunchy red currant to the fore adorned with baking spice, savoury and gamy notes. It replays palate flavours on the dry, lengthy, mouth-watering finish. Pour with slow- and low-cooked lamb shoulder and roasted root veggies. (Vic Harradine)